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America's top football league will not drop Bad Bunny as the headline performer for the prestigious mid-game entertainment, League chief Roger Goodell announced this week.

With this affirmation, Goodell reaffirmed the decision to place the internationally acclaimed singer on the league’s biggest stage, a move that sparked negative reactions from Donald Trump and his political base.

Goodell addressed the controversy during his media briefing following the league's autumn gathering. This marks the initial instance he has spoken out on the appointment, which has garnered global interest, including a surge in streams of Bad Bunny’s music alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said. “I’m not sure we have chosen an performer where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s challenging to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of fans tuning in.”

The reggaeton star, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of Trump. He lately decided to hold a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, skipping stops in the mainland US, referencing apprehensions about the expulsion of Latinos.

The artist, who sings in Spanish, is anticipated to continue this at the Super Bowl.

“We believe it’s going to be a spectacular performance,” Goodell said. “He understands the platform that he’s on, and I think it will prove thrilling and a unifying experience.”

The host team are hosting the championship game on 8 February at the Santa Clara venue in the Bay Area. It is unclear if Trump plans to be there, though he has turned appearing in person at major sporting events a significant part of his current presidency.

Trump during a discussion on right-leaning media the outlet claimed he had “never heard of” the performer.

“I’m unfamiliar with who he is,” Trump said. “I can’t comprehend why they’re doing it. It seems absurd. Additionally, they blame it on some promoter they contracted to pick up talent. In my opinion it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

The commissioner supported the decision on Wednesday, clarifying it was determined because of the artist’s massive fanbase.

“He ranks among the leading and best-loved performers in the world,” he affirmed. “That’s what we aim to accomplish. It represents a crucial platform for the league. It serves as a key component to the entertainment value.”