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

In doing so, Goodell stood by the decision to feature the internationally acclaimed singer on the league’s biggest stage, a move that sparked negative reactions from the former president and some of his supporters.

Goodell commented on 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 global interest, including a surge in streams of the artist's catalog alongside opposition.

“It’s carefully thought through,” the commissioner remarked. “I doubt we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people tuning in.”

The reggaeton star, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of the former leader. He lately opted to hold a month-long concert series in his homeland, avoiding stops in the continental United States, citing concerns about the expulsion of Hispanic individuals.

The 31-year-old, who sings in Spanish, is anticipated to do so at the Super Bowl.

“We believe it’s going to be a great show,” Goodell commented. “He understands the platform that he has, and I think it will prove exciting and a united experience.”

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the Super Bowl on 8 February at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. There is uncertainty if the former president intends to attend, though he has turned physical attendance at high-profile games a key aspect of his current presidency.

The political figure in an interview on right-leaning media Newsmax said he had “no knowledge of” the performer.

“I don’t know his identity,” Trump said. “I can’t comprehend why they’re doing it. It seems absurd. And then, they attribute it to some promoter they contracted to select entertainment. I think it’s completely unreasonable.”

Goodell supported the choice this week, clarifying it was made because of Bad Bunny’s massive fanbase.

“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers globally,” he affirmed. “This is exactly what we try to achieve. It represents a crucial stage for us. It serves as a key component to the entertainment value.”