The NFL commissioner said the halftime show is meant to unite viewers.
WASHINGTON — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday he doesn’t expect Bad Bunny to say anything divisive during his Super Bowl halftime performance.
Goodell was asked at a news conference kicking off Super Bowl week whether he anticipated political commentary from Bad Bunny, Green Day or any other artists set to appear during Super Bowl LX. He said the league chose Bad Bunny in part because he understands the platform he’s been given.
“Bad Bunny is, and I think that was demonstrated last night, one of the great artists in the world,” Goodell added. “And that’s one of the reasons we chose him.”
The comments came a day after Bad Bunny won album of the year at the Grammy Awards. While accepting an award Sunday night, the Puerto Rican artist used his speech to criticize President Donald Trump’s administration over its expansion of immigration arrests.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” Bad Bunny said during the ceremony. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
Goodell acknowledged the moment but emphasized that the halftime show is intended to be a unifying event.
“He understood the platform he was on, and that this platform is used to unite people and to be able to bring people together with their creativity, with their talent, and to be able to use this moment to do that,” Goodell said. “I think artists in the past have done that, I think Bad Bunny understands that, and I think he’ll have a great performance.”
Bad Bunny, who has been outspoken on immigrant rights issues, has faced criticism from conservative commentators since being announced as the Super Bowl halftime headliner.
Goodell was also asked about security and federal law enforcement presence at the game. He said the National Football League is working with federal, state and local authorities as it does for every Super Bowl, but did not directly address whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would be present.
When is the Super Bowl?
Super Bowl 60 will kick off on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. Super Bowl 60 will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers. Fans can tune in on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and Universo.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.