NFL Boss Says Bad Bunny Is ‘One of the Great Artists in the World’ After Powerful ‘ICE Out’ Grammys Speech: ‘He Understood the Platform He Was On’

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has doubled down on the league's choice of Bad Bunny to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, pointing to the artist's recent Grammy Awards showcase as proof of his global star power. According to Yahoo Sports, Goodell told reporters that the Puerto Rican sensation's status as "one of the world's great artists" was central to the selection. He expressed unwavering confidence that Bad Bunny grasps the unique, unifying potential of the Super Bowl stage and will deliver a standout performance.

The decision to feature Bad Bunny—born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—has drawn notable criticism from some conservative commentators, lending deeper significance to his actions at the Grammys. Upon winning Best Música Urbana Album for "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS," the artist, a vocal advocate for immigrants' rights, opened his speech with the phrase "ICE out." He went on to defend immigrant communities, stating they are "not savage, not animals, not aliens," but rather "humans" and "Americans," closing with a message that love triumphs over hate. This moment highlighted how his influence transcends music, a dynamic the NFL must now manage.

Political tensions around the event were already simmering months prior. In October 2025, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem—the former governor of South Dakota known for a stringent immigration platform—declared on a podcast that federal agents would be "all over" the Super Bowl to ensure law enforcement. When later questioned about a potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence, Commissioner Goodell acknowledged the league's standard practice of cooperating with authorities but refrained from detailing any specific agency's plans. This careful response illustrates the NFL's challenge in balancing operational security with the cultural tone of its flagship event.

The Super Bowl halftime show, consistently drawing over 100 million U.S. viewers, has evolved from mere entertainment into a significant cultural barometer. Media analysts note it now serves as a high-stakes platform where social and political messages are amplified to a massive audience. As Dr. Lena Torres, a professor of media studies at Columbia University, observed, "The halftime stage has become a contested space for defining national identity, where artistic expression and political symbolism are inextricably linked." Goodell's firm support suggests the league is anticipating the debate, betting that Bad Bunny's artistic prowess and unifying message will ultimately overshadow the controversy.

This situation reflects a broader trend where major sporting spectacles intersect with societal debates. The NFL's partnership with a politically engaged artist like Bad Bunny, whose 2022 album "Un Verano Sin Ti" was the first all-Spanish language release to be nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys, signals a calculated embrace of his vast, younger demographic. The league appears to be prioritizing contemporary cultural relevance and expansive viewership, even at the risk of political friction, understanding that such moments often define the event's legacy beyond the final score.