News Summary
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has defended the decision to feature Bad Bunny as the halftime performer for the upcoming Super Bowl LX, responding to backlash from political figures, including Donald Trump. Goodell emphasized the thoughtful consideration behind the artist’s selection, asserting that a range of reactions is expected at such a high-profile event. Despite a petition to replace Bad Bunny with country star George Strait, local leaders support the decision, advocating for inclusivity. The Super Bowl is set to take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with safety measures concerning ICE officials being addressed.
Santa Clara, California
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has publicly defended the decision to feature Bad Bunny as the halftime performer for Super Bowl LX, stating that the league has no plans to reconsider. The announcement was made in late September and has since faced backlash, particularly from some political figures, including former President Donald Trump.
During a news conference following the NFL’s fall meeting, Goodell addressed the criticism surrounding Bad Bunny’s selection, emphasizing that the choice was “carefully thought through.” He acknowledged that any artist performing at the Super Bowl could anticipate a range of reactions, given the event’s enormous viewership.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is a Grammy-winning artist from Puerto Rico known for his distinct style that predominantly features music performed in Spanish. His stance against Trump and his policies is well-documented, including his decision to maintain a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico while avoiding travel to the mainland United States due to concerns about immigration and deportation issues affecting Latinos.
The Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 8, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Although President Trump has a history of attending significant sporting events during his presidency, it remains unclear if he will attend this year’s Super Bowl. Trump has previously commented, claiming to have “never heard of” Bad Bunny and labeling the decision to feature him as “crazy and absolutely ridiculous.”
In light of the backlash, a petition has emerged in Virginia aimed at replacing Bad Bunny with American country artist George Strait, obtaining over 71,000 signatures thus far. Despite the controversy, many local supporters, including prominent figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor, have expressed their endorsement of Bad Bunny. They have underlined the importance of inclusivity at the event, reflecting the diverse audience of the Super Bowl.
Gillmor has assured that measures will be taken to ensure a safe environment for attendees, particularly regarding concerns related to the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials at the Super Bowl. Bad Bunny himself responded to some of the critics during his hosting of “Saturday Night Live,” challenging detractors to learn the Spanish language before the performance.
Goodell spoke further about other important issues deliberated during the fall meeting, such as updates to the review process for plays, managing game lengths, and ongoing negotiations with the players’ union regarding collective bargaining agreements. He reiterated that discussions around potentially expanding the regular season to 18 games will be postponed until the NFL Players Association designates a permanent executive director.
Looking ahead, Goodell mentioned that work is ongoing to select host cities for the Super Bowl in the 2028 and 2029 seasons, with further announcements expected next year.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Bay Area
- Wikipedia: Super Bowl
- San Francisco Chronicle
- Google Search: Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show
- The Spun
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Super Bowl
- San Jose Spotlight
- Google News: Bad Bunny Halftime Show
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
