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The NFL will not remove Bad Bunny as the headline performer for the prestigious mid-game entertainment, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated on Wednesday.

With this affirmation, Goodell reaffirmed the decision to feature the internationally acclaimed singer on the league’s biggest stage, a move that drew negative reactions from Donald Trump and some of his supporters.

Goodell commented on the debate during his media briefing following the annual fall owners meeting. This marks the first time he has spoken out on the appointment, which has attracted worldwide attention, including a rise in streams of Bad Bunny’s music alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” the commissioner remarked. “I’m not sure we have chosen an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally countless viewers of people tuning in.”

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal opponent of the former leader. He lately opted to do a month-long concert series in his homeland, skipping stops in the mainland US, referencing apprehensions about the mass deportation of Hispanic individuals.

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

“We believe it’s going to be a great show,” the NFL commissioner commented. “He is aware of the platform that he’s on, and in my view it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the Super Bowl on 8 February at the Santa Clara venue in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if Trump intends to attend, although he has made physical attendance at major sporting events a key aspect of his second term.

The political figure during a discussion on right-leaning media the outlet claimed he had “no knowledge of” Bad Bunny.

“I’m unfamiliar with who he is,” Trump stated. “I don’t know the reasoning behind it. It seems absurd. And then, they attribute it to some promoter they hired to select talent. In my opinion it’s completely unreasonable.”

The commissioner defended the decision this week, explaining it was determined because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.

“He’s one of the leading and best-loved entertainers globally,” he affirmed. “This is exactly what we try to accomplish. It represents a crucial platform for the league. It serves as a key element to the overall experience.”