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The NFL has no plans to drop the global music icon as the star attraction for the Super Bowl halftime show, League chief Roger Goodell announced this week.

With this affirmation, Goodell reaffirmed the decision to feature the internationally acclaimed singer on the league’s biggest stage, a move that drew negative reactions from the former president and some of his supporters.

Goodell commented on the debate during his news conference following the league's autumn gathering. This marks the initial instance he has publicly remarked on the selection, which has attracted worldwide attention, including a surge in streams of Bad Bunny’s music alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell remarked. “I’m not sure we have chosen an performer where we didn’t have some blowback or disapproval. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally countless viewers of fans tuning in.”

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal opponent of Trump. He recently decided to hold a 31-day residency in his homeland, avoiding performances in the continental United States, referencing concerns about the expulsion of Hispanic individuals.

The artist, who sings in Spanish, is expected to continue this at the Super Bowl.

“We believe it will deliver a spectacular performance,” Goodell commented. “He is aware of the opportunity that he has, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a unifying experience.”

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the Super Bowl on 8 February at the Santa Clara venue in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if the former president intends to attend, although he has turned appearing in person at high-profile games a key aspect of his current presidency.

The political figure in an interview on right-leaning media Newsmax claimed he had “no knowledge of” Bad Bunny.

“I’m unfamiliar with his identity,” Trump said. “I can’t comprehend the reasoning behind it. It seems absurd. And then, they attribute it to some promoter they hired to select talent. I think it’s completely unreasonable.”

Goodell defended the choice on Wednesday, explaining it was made because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.

“He’s one of the top and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell affirmed. “This is exactly what we aim to accomplish. It represents a crucial platform for the league. It serves as a key component to the overall experience.”