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

With this affirmation, Goodell stood by the choice to place the internationally acclaimed singer on the league’s biggest stage, a move that sparked criticism from Donald Trump and some of his supporters.

Goodell addressed the controversy during his news conference following the league's autumn gathering. This marks the initial instance he has spoken out on the selection, which has garnered global interest, including a rise in online plays of the artist's catalog 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 pretty hard to do when you have truly countless viewers of people that are watching.”

The reggaeton star, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of the former leader. He recently decided to do a month-long concert series in Puerto Rico, avoiding performances in the mainland US, referencing concerns about the mass deportation of Hispanic individuals.

The artist, who sings primarily in his native language, is expected to do so at the Super Bowl.

“We believe it’s going to be a spectacular performance,” Goodell said. “He understands the platform that he has, and in my view it’s going to be thrilling and a unifying moment.”

The San Francisco 49ers are staging the championship game on 8 February at Levi’s Stadium in the Bay Area. There is uncertainty if Trump intends to attend, though he has made appearing in person at major sporting events a key aspect of his second term.

Trump during a discussion on right-leaning media the outlet said he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny.

“I don’t know his identity,” he stated. “I can’t comprehend the reasoning behind it. It’s, like, crazy. And then, they blame it on some promoter they contracted to pick up talent. In my opinion it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

The commissioner defended the decision on Wednesday, clarifying it was made because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.

“He ranks among the leading and best-loved performers globally,” Goodell said. “This is exactly what we aim to accomplish. It’s an important stage for us. It serves as a key component to the overall experience.”