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America's top football league has no plans to remove the global music icon as the headline performer for the Super Bowl halftime show, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated this week.

In doing so, Goodell stood by the choice to feature the internationally acclaimed singer on the most-watched platform, a move that sparked negative reactions from Donald Trump and his political base.

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 selection, which has attracted global interest, including a surge in streams of Bad Bunny’s music alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” the commissioner said. “I doubt we have chosen an performer where we avoided some blowback or disapproval. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.”

The reggaeton star, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of the former leader. He lately opted to hold a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, skipping performances in the continental United States, citing apprehensions about the expulsion of Hispanic individuals.

The artist, who performs in Spanish, is anticipated to do so at the big game.

“We believe it’s going to be a spectacular performance,” Goodell said. “He understands the platform that he has, and I think it’s going to be thrilling and a united moment.”

The San Francisco 49ers are staging the Super Bowl on February 8 at the Santa Clara venue in Santa Clara, California. There is uncertainty if Trump plans to attend, though he has made appearing in person at high-profile games a significant part of his current presidency.

Trump during a discussion on right-leaning media the outlet claimed he had “no knowledge of” the performer.

“I don’t know who he is,” he stated. “I don’t know the reasoning behind it. It’s, like, crazy. Additionally, they blame it on an outside booker they hired to select talent. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

The commissioner supported the choice on Wednesday, explaining it was determined because of the artist’s immense popularity.

“He’s one of the top and best-loved performers in the world,” he affirmed. “That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important platform for the league. It serves as a key element to the entertainment value.”