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The NFL will not drop Bad Bunny as the headline performer for the Super Bowl halftime show, League chief Roger Goodell announced this week.

In doing so, Goodell reaffirmed the decision to feature the Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage, a move that sparked negative reactions from the former president and some of his supporters.

Goodell addressed the debate during his news conference following the annual fall owners meeting. This marks the initial instance he has spoken out on the appointment, which has garnered worldwide attention, including a rise in online plays of the artist's catalog alongside backlash.

“The decision was thoroughly considered,” Goodell remarked. “I’m not sure we have chosen an performer where we avoided pushback or disapproval. It’s challenging to do when you have truly hundreds of millions of people tuning in.”

The reggaeton star, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of the former leader. He lately decided to do a month-long concert series in his homeland, skipping performances in the mainland US, citing apprehensions about the expulsion of Hispanic individuals.

The artist, who sings primarily in his native language, is anticipated to do so at the big game.

“We believe it will deliver a great show,” the NFL commissioner commented. “He is aware of the platform that he’s on, and in my view it will prove thrilling and a unifying moment.”

The host team are hosting the Super Bowl on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in the Bay Area. It is unclear if Trump plans to be there, though he has turned appearing in person at high-profile games a significant part of his second term.

Trump in an interview on right-leaning media Newsmax claimed he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny.

“I’m unfamiliar with his identity,” Trump said. “I don’t know the reasoning behind it. It’s, like, crazy. And then, they blame it on an outside booker they hired to pick up talent. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

The commissioner defended the decision on Wednesday, explaining it was made because of the artist’s immense popularity.

“He ranks among the top and best-loved performers globally,” Goodell affirmed. “This is exactly what we aim to achieve. It’s an important stage for the league. It’s an important component to the overall experience.”