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The NFL has no plans to remove the global music icon as the star attraction for the prestigious mid-game entertainment, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Wednesday.

With this affirmation, Goodell stood by the decision to place the Puerto Rican artist on the most-watched platform, a move that sparked negative reactions from Donald Trump and some of his supporters.

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

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell remarked. “I doubt we’ve ever selected an artist where we avoided pushback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have truly hundreds of millions of fans that are watching.”

The reggaeton star, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal opponent of the former leader. He lately decided to hold a 31-day residency in his homeland, skipping stops in the continental United States, referencing concerns about the expulsion of Hispanic individuals.

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

“We’re confident it will deliver a spectacular performance,” Goodell commented. “He is aware of the platform that he has, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a unifying experience.”

The host team are staging the Super Bowl on 8 February at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. There is uncertainty if the former president intends to be there, though he has turned physical attendance at high-profile games a significant part of his current presidency.

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

“I’m unfamiliar with who he is,” Trump said. “I can’t comprehend the reasoning behind it. It seems absurd. And then, they attribute it to an outside booker they contracted to select entertainment. In my opinion it’s completely unreasonable.”

Goodell supported the decision this week, explaining it was made because of the artist’s immense popularity.

“He ranks among the leading and best-loved entertainers globally,” he said. “This is exactly what we try to accomplish. It represents a crucial stage for us. It serves as a key element to the entertainment value.”