The NFL‘s decision to name Bad Bunny as the halftime performer for Super Bowl LX has sparked both excitement and controversy.
Among those applauding the move is Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, who shared his enthusiasm during an appearance on ESPN’s Mason & Ireland Show.
James revealed that he has already experienced the energy of a Bad Bunny concert firsthand and described the performance as unforgettable.
“It [the concert] was unbelievable,” James said. “I had an unbelievable time. It was actually the opening weekend, you know, the time I was there and, you know, Puerto Rico is like a great place for me. They always welcomed me and my friends. They’re my family.
“There so much respect that I have for the island and everybody down there. I’m super happy for Bad Bunny that he’s able to represent the Super Bowl in San Francisco. That’s gonna be super dope. And, hopefully I can be there man and support him. He’s a great friend of mine. So that was great to see, the announcement.”
James‘ words highlight the significance of Bad Bunny’s appearance, not just for music fans but also for Puerto Rico’s cultural footprint on one of the most watched events in the world.
The rapper, who has already sold out stadiums globally and topped charts across multiple genres, will be the first Puerto Rican artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, a milestone celebrated across Latin music circles.
Political criticism tempers the celebration
While LeBron and countless fans expressed joy over the announcement, the decision has not been universally embraced. Corey Lewandowski, senior advisor to President Donald Trump, publicly criticized the NFL for choosing Bad Bunny as the headliner.
He also introduced a political dimension to the halftime show, claiming Immigration and Customs Enforcement would use the event as an opportunity to search for undocumented individuals.
“There is nowhere you can provide a safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl, nowhere else. We will find you. We will apprehend you. We will put you in a detention facility and we will deport you,” Lewandowski said.
His remarks sparked backlash online, with many pointing out that Bad Bunny is a U.S. citizen as a Puerto Rican and that his appearance at the Super Bowl represents the growing influence of Latin artists in mainstream American entertainment.
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