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America's top football league has no plans to remove Bad Bunny 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 feature the Puerto Rican artist on the most-watched platform, a move that drew negative reactions from the former president and some of his supporters.

Goodell commented on the debate during his news conference following the annual fall owners meeting. This marks the first time he has publicly remarked on the appointment, which has garnered global interest, including a surge in streams of Bad Bunny’s music alongside opposition.

“It’s carefully thought through,” the commissioner said. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an performer where we didn’t have some blowback or disapproval. It’s pretty hard to do when you have truly countless viewers of fans tuning in.”

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of the former leader. He lately decided to hold a month-long concert series in Puerto Rico, skipping stops in the continental United States, referencing apprehensions about the expulsion of Hispanic individuals.

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

“We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” the NFL commissioner commented. “He is aware of the platform that he has, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a unifying moment.”

The host team are hosting the Super Bowl on 8 February at the Santa Clara venue in the Bay Area. It is unclear if the former president intends to be there, though he has made appearing in person at high-profile games a significant part of his second term.

The political figure in an interview on conservative news network Newsmax claimed he had “never heard of” the performer.

“I’m unfamiliar with his identity,” he said. “I don’t know the reasoning behind it. It seems absurd. Additionally, they blame it on an outside booker they contracted to pick up talent. I think it’s completely unreasonable.”

The commissioner defended the choice this week, clarifying it was determined because of the artist’s immense popularity.

“He’s one of the top and best-loved entertainers globally,” he affirmed. “That’s what we aim to achieve. It’s an important platform for us. It’s an important element to the overall experience.”