NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reaffirmed that Bad Bunny will perform at this year's Super Bowl halftime show, despite widespread criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and some of his supporters.
The decision to book the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist, known for his outspoken opposition to Trump and his policies, was met with controversy upon its announcement in September. However, Goodell has stuck by his guns, saying that it was a "carefully thought-through" move that will showcase Bad Bunny's immense popularity on the world's biggest stage.
"We're confident it's going to be a great show," Goodell said, acknowledging that there may be additional talent added to the lineup. "He understands the platform that he's on, and I think it's going to be exciting and a united moment."
Trump, who has made appearances at major sporting events a significant part of his second term in office, expressed his disapproval of Bad Bunny's involvement, saying he had "never heard of" the artist. Trump also criticized the decision as "absolutely ridiculous," blaming a promoter for selecting Bad Bunny over another performer.
Goodell defended the decision, citing Bad Bunny's status as one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. The NFL aims to achieve entertainment value on its biggest stage, and Goodell believes that Bad Bunny will deliver that.
In other news, the San Francisco 49ers are hosting the Super Bowl on February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear whether Trump plans to attend, but he has made appearances at major sporting events a key part of his presidency.
Goodell also addressed ongoing discussions about potential rule changes, including an effort to ban the quarterback sneak play that was narrowly rejected in the spring. While there have been no formal proposals to revisit the rule change, Goodell acknowledged that the league will continue to monitor and evaluate its impact on the game.
Additionally, concerns about replay reviews and their length were raised during the meeting. However, Goodell reported a decrease in game times through the first seven weeks of the season, despite an increase in kick returns following adjustments to the dynamic kickoff rule.
Finally, discussions about potential changes to the regular season schedule, including an 18-game season, are expected to wait until the union chooses its long-term leader. The current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2031 league year, and Goodell expects any talks to focus on a range of issues beyond just the 18-game proposal.
The decision to book the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist, known for his outspoken opposition to Trump and his policies, was met with controversy upon its announcement in September. However, Goodell has stuck by his guns, saying that it was a "carefully thought-through" move that will showcase Bad Bunny's immense popularity on the world's biggest stage.
"We're confident it's going to be a great show," Goodell said, acknowledging that there may be additional talent added to the lineup. "He understands the platform that he's on, and I think it's going to be exciting and a united moment."
Trump, who has made appearances at major sporting events a significant part of his second term in office, expressed his disapproval of Bad Bunny's involvement, saying he had "never heard of" the artist. Trump also criticized the decision as "absolutely ridiculous," blaming a promoter for selecting Bad Bunny over another performer.
Goodell defended the decision, citing Bad Bunny's status as one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. The NFL aims to achieve entertainment value on its biggest stage, and Goodell believes that Bad Bunny will deliver that.
In other news, the San Francisco 49ers are hosting the Super Bowl on February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear whether Trump plans to attend, but he has made appearances at major sporting events a key part of his presidency.
Goodell also addressed ongoing discussions about potential rule changes, including an effort to ban the quarterback sneak play that was narrowly rejected in the spring. While there have been no formal proposals to revisit the rule change, Goodell acknowledged that the league will continue to monitor and evaluate its impact on the game.
Additionally, concerns about replay reviews and their length were raised during the meeting. However, Goodell reported a decrease in game times through the first seven weeks of the season, despite an increase in kick returns following adjustments to the dynamic kickoff rule.
Finally, discussions about potential changes to the regular season schedule, including an 18-game season, are expected to wait until the union chooses its long-term leader. The current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2031 league year, and Goodell expects any talks to focus on a range of issues beyond just the 18-game proposal.