Super Bowl LX backlash as 100K fans petition to replace Bad Bunny with George Strait

The Super Bowl halftime amusement has ever been arsenic overmuch astir civilization arsenic football, and this year’s announcement has already sparked a monolithic debate. With Bad Bunny acceptable to header Super Bowl LX astatine Levi’s Stadium successful Santa Clara connected February 8, 2026, a Change.org petition asking the NFL to regenerate him with George Strait has crossed a whopping 100,000 signatures. The increasing run reflects much than a philharmonic penchant — it seems similar a clash betwixt contented and the league’s propulsion toward planetary appeal.The petition, started by organizer Kar Shell, argues that the reggaetón superstar’s show benignant doesn’t acceptable what galore American families expect from the NFL’s biggest night. Shell says the halftime amusement should enactment “family-friendly and devoid of governmental commentary,” focusing alternatively connected American euphony roots similar country. For thousands of supporters, the contented goes beyond euphony — it’s astir who the amusement represents and however it reflects nationalist identity.

Halftime statement heats up implicit Bad Bunny’s selection

Supporters constituent retired that a important percent of Americans talk lone English, suggesting a disconnect betwixt overmuch of the assemblage and Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language catalog. Some besides mention the artist’s past remarks astir connection learning arsenic unsettling, calling for a performer who amended reflects “American tradition.” Their projected replacements see George Strait, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Cody Johnson, and Brooks & Dunn.

The question gained governmental value aft president Donald Trump weighed successful during a Newsmax interview, admitting helium didn’t cognize who Bad Bunny was and calling the determination “crazy” and “absolutely ridiculous.”The NFL, though, isn’t budging, from its decision. Commissioner Roger Goodell reacted to the backlash directly, saying the league stands by its choice. “He’s 1 of the starring and astir fashionable entertainers successful the world,” Goodell said, adding that Bad Bunny was chosen cautiously to assistance the NFL “connect with a planetary audience.”Bad Bunny’s resume backs that assertion up — helium ranked among Spotify’s most-streamed artists successful 2022, and his medium Un Verano Sin Ti shattered records. His concerts unsocial generated an estimated a mind-boggling $400 cardinal successful Puerto Rico’s economy. Whether the petition shifts thing remains to beryllium seen, but 1 thing’s clear: the halftime amusement is erstwhile again the NFL’s astir hotly debated play.More NFL coverage:Russell Wilson’s woman Ciara commands the country and captivates La La Anthony arsenic she shines successful a bold embroidered sheer dressChiefs icons Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce invitation fans to feast astatine their steakhouse 1587 Prime this Thanksgiving