NEW YORK — The NFL isn’t contemplating dropping Dangerous Bunny as its Tremendous Bowl halftime headline performer, commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned Wednesday, reaffirming a choice to place the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist on the league’s largest stage that led to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and a few of his supporters.
Goodell addressed the Dangerous Bunny controversy at his information convention following the NFL’s fall assembly. It’s the first time he has commented on the transfer introduced in late September that garnered worldwide consideration, together with a rise in streams of Dangerous Bunny’s music, together with backlash.
“It is fastidiously thought via,” Goodell mentioned. “I am undecided we have ever chosen an artist the place we did not have some blowback or criticism. It is fairly onerous to do when you have got actually a whole bunch of tens of millions of individuals which can be watching.”
The 31-year-old born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has been vocal in his opposition to Trump and his insurance policies. He determined to do a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, avoiding stops within the mainland U.S., citing issues in regards to the mass deportation of Latinos.
He performs in Spanish and is anticipated to take action on the Tremendous Bowl.
“We’re assured it may be an incredible present,” Goodell mentioned. “He understands the platform that he is on, and I believe it may be thrilling and a united second.”
The San Francisco 49ers are internet hosting the Tremendous Bowl on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It’s unclear if Trump plans to be there, although he has made showing in individual at main sporting occasions a big a part of his second time period within the White Home.
Trump in an interview on conservative information community Newsmax mentioned he had “by no means heard of” Dangerous Bunny.
“I do not know who he’s,” Trump mentioned. “I do not know why they’re doing it. It is, like, loopy. After which they blame it on some promoter they employed to select up leisure. I believe it is completely ridiculous.”
Goodell defended the choice Wednesday, explaining it was made due to Dangerous Bunny’s immense recognition.
“He is one of many main and hottest entertainers on the planet,” Goodell mentioned. “That is what we attempt to obtain. It is an necessary stage for us. It is an necessary aspect to the leisure worth.”