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The NFL has no plans to drop Bad Bunny as the star attraction for the prestigious mid-game entertainment, League chief Roger Goodell stated this week.

In doing so, Goodell reaffirmed the decision to feature the Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage, a move that drew criticism from the former president and his political base.

Goodell addressed the debate during his news conference following the league's autumn gathering. This marks the first time he has spoken out on the selection, which has attracted global interest, including a surge in streams of Bad Bunny’s music alongside opposition.

“It’s carefully thought through,” the commissioner remarked. “I’m not sure we have chosen an performer where we didn’t have pushback or disapproval. It’s pretty hard to do when you have truly hundreds of millions of fans tuning in.”

The reggaeton star, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal opponent of Trump. He recently decided to do a month-long concert series in his homeland, avoiding stops in the mainland US, citing apprehensions about the mass deportation of Latinos.

The 31-year-old, who performs primarily in his native language, is expected to do so at the Super Bowl.

“We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” Goodell commented. “He is aware of the opportunity that he has, and I think it’s going to be thrilling and a united moment.”

The host team are hosting the Super Bowl on February 8 at the Santa Clara venue in the Bay Area. There is uncertainty if Trump plans to attend, though he has made physical attendance at high-profile games a key aspect of his current presidency.

Trump in an interview on conservative news network the outlet claimed he had “never heard of” the performer.

“I’m unfamiliar with his identity,” Trump said. “I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy. And then, they attribute it to some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s completely unreasonable.”

The commissioner supported the decision this week, clarifying it was determined because of Bad Bunny’s massive fanbase.

“He’s one of the leading and most popular performers globally,” he said. “This is exactly what we try to accomplish. It’s an important platform for us. It serves as a key element to the overall experience.”