NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is confident Bad Bunny will use the Super Bowl LX halftime stage to unite rather than divide, despite the artist’s recent anti-ICE activism at the Grammy Awards.
But confidence isn’t the same as certainty.
And history suggests artists don’t always follow the script.
During his state of the league news conference Monday, Goodell addressed concerns about Bad Bunny’s potential activism after the reggaeton superstar went off script at the Grammys just days earlier.
Commissioner Projects Confidence in Artist’s Understanding
Speaking to a select group of reporters, Goodell praised Bad Bunny’s talent while emphasizing what he believes the artist understands about performing at football’s biggest event.
Listen, I think Bad Bunny – and I think that was demonstrated last night — is one of the great artists in the world. And that’s one of the reasons we chose him.
The commissioner stressed that the Super Bowl halftime show serves a different purpose than other award shows or concerts.
But the other reason is he understood the platform he was on. This platform is used to unite people and to be able to bring people together with their creativity and their talents.
What Happened at the Grammys
Bad Bunny’s Grammy acceptance speech caught many off guard with its direct political message.
Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out.
Those four words immediately sparked debate about whether similar activism might appear during Super Bowl LX.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has become a lightning rod topic in current political discourse, making Bad Bunny’s statement particularly charged ahead of football’s most-watched event.
Contracts May Prohibit Political Statements
According to an NFL source speaking with OutKick, most contracts with halftime performers include specific language about content.
These agreements typically contain clauses prohibiting artists from making unapproved personal, political, or other statements unrelated to the game or performance itself.
But contracts don’t always guarantee compliance.
Jennifer Lopez Precedent From 2020
Super Bowl LIV provides a telling example of how artists navigate these restrictions.
Jennifer Lopez featured children in metal cages during her 2020 halftime performance, imagery widely interpreted as commentary on immigration policy. In her Netflix documentary Halftime, Lopez revealed she fought league officials to keep that element despite their concerns.
NFL officials believed those images wouldn’t appear in the final show. They did anyway.
This precedent suggests Goodell’s confidence might be more wishful thinking than iron-clad guarantee.
Federal Partnership Remains Unchanged
In what could be viewed as ironic timing, Goodell also confirmed that federal agencies—including the Department of Homeland Security which oversees ICE—remain NFL partners for Super Bowl LX security.
Super Bowl LX carries a Special Event Assessment Rating I designation, the highest level of security classification for public events.
Security is obviously one of the things we focus on the most. That involves unique assets at the federal level, state level, and local level all working together. I see no change in that.
Goodell emphasized continuity in federal partnership across administrations.
In the preparation for this Super Bowl, we’ve not seen that in working with all three of those levels and doing everything we can to make sure it’s a safe environment. And the federal government is a big part of that, including this administration and every other administration before that.
Walking a Tightrope Between Art and Athletics
The NFL faces a delicate balance with every halftime show selection.
League officials want compelling artists who draw viewers and generate buzz. But they also want performers who understand—and respect—that more than 100 million people tune in for football, not political statements.
Bad Bunny represents one of music’s biggest global stars, with massive crossover appeal that extends beyond traditional Latin music audiences. His selection makes strategic sense for growing the NFL’s international reach.
Whether he’ll stick to music and spectacle or use football’s biggest platform for activism remains the question hovering over Super Bowl LX.
What OutKick Wasn’t Asked
Notably, OutKick wasn’t selected from the group of approximately 15 journalists who questioned Goodell during his news conference.
Questions covered topics ranging from:
NFL hiring practices
Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub
Potential 18-game season expansion
International game growth
But no one pressed Goodell on whether the league has actual assurances—beyond hopeful expectations—that Bad Bunny won’t replicate his Grammy moment on football’s grandest stage.
That question remains unanswered as game day approaches.
Goodell’s final comment on Bad Bunny suggests measured optimism rather than guaranteed certainty about what viewers will see during halftime.
I think artists in the past have done that. I think Bad Bunny understands that, and he’ll have a great performance.
Only when Bad Bunny takes the stage will anyone know whether contracts, conversations, or creative vision ultimately dictate what millions of viewers experience during those crucial 13 minutes.
