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The NFL has no plans to remove the global music icon as the headline performer for the prestigious mid-game entertainment, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced this week.

With this affirmation, Goodell reaffirmed the choice to place the Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage, a move that drew negative reactions from Donald Trump and his political base.

Goodell commented on the controversy during his media briefing following the annual fall owners meeting. This marks the initial instance he has publicly remarked on the selection, which has attracted global interest, including a rise in streams of the artist's catalog alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” the commissioner remarked. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we avoided some blowback or disapproval. 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 vocal opponent of Trump. He recently decided to hold a 31-day residency in his homeland, avoiding stops in the mainland US, referencing concerns about the mass deportation of Latinos.

The artist, who sings in Spanish, is expected to continue this at the big game.

“We’re confident it’s going to be a spectacular performance,” the NFL commissioner said. “He understands the opportunity that he has, and I think it’s going to be thrilling and a united moment.”

The host team are staging the Super Bowl on 8 February at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. There is uncertainty if Trump plans to attend, although he has made appearing in person at high-profile games a key aspect of his current presidency.

The political figure in an interview on right-leaning media Newsmax claimed he had “no knowledge of” Bad Bunny.

“I don’t know who he is,” he said. “I can’t comprehend why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy. Additionally, they blame it on some promoter they contracted to select entertainment. In my opinion it’s completely unreasonable.”

The commissioner supported the decision on Wednesday, clarifying it was made because of Bad Bunny’s massive fanbase.

“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” he affirmed. “This is exactly what we aim to achieve. It represents a crucial stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”