Bad Bunny‘s confirmation as the headline act for the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show has been as applauded as it has been criticized.
In an opinion column for the New York Post, Kirsten Fleming called the decision “hypocritical” and strongly questioned the NFL, claiming that it responds more to commercial than cultural interests.
Bad Bunny, a controversial choice
The Puerto Rican singer will be in charge of lighting up the most-watched stage on U.S. television: the Super Bowl halftime show in Santa Clara, California
However, despite being one of the artists of the moment, with millions of listeners and followers around the world, not everyone celebrated the announcement.
In the New York Post, they harshly criticized the decision, recalling that on previous tours, the artist had rejected performances in the United States in protest against immigration policies.
The outlet directly called him a “hypocrite“, pointing out that he now accepts one of the most coveted stages in the country, when in the past he refused to perform in the United States as a protest against Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
On the other hand, the NFL and, more broadly, American institutions, tend to show indifference toward the Latino community, but recognize that they need it to grow.
In this case, the league is betting on a global icon of Latin music such as Bad Bunny, confirming that the Hispanic market is not only important, but essential for its expansion strategy.
Beyond the criticism, the NFL is clear about its goal: to expand its brand internationally. With games scheduled in countries such as Germany, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Spain, the NFL is looking to grow in markets where American football is not yet a popular sport. The Latino audience plays a key role in this strategy, and that is why Bad Bunny will perform at the Super Bowl.
With Bad Bunny, the world’s most streamed artist on Spotify for three consecutive years, the league is betting on a figure with massive reach in the Hispanic community and beyond.
Criticism from more traditional fans
Although the NFL is focused on new audiences, some traditional fans see the decision as an affront to the essence of football. The New York Post even asked if it would not have been better to choose artists such as Taylor Swift or Zach Bryan, with styles closer to classic American musical culture.
Why did Bad Bunny agree to perform at the Super Bowl?
Despite the criticism, Bad Bunny expressed pride in his appointment: “What I feel goes beyond me. It’s for my people, my culture and our history,” he said after the announcement.
The artist already has experience on global stages as he participated in the Super Bowl 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira; he also performed in the WWE and has even had acting roles in a couple of Hollywood films, so it is not surprising that he accepted the leading role in the Super Bowl halftime show.
The truth is that, controversial or not, the show with Bad Bunny promises to become one of the most talked about moments of the year.
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