Bad Bunny Super Bowl criticism continues
Photo Credit: Bad Bunny (Instagram)
The NFL decision to select Bad Bunny as its halftime performer for Super Bowl LX in 2026 has ignited a wave of criticism that hasn’t died down. Critics have argued that Bad Bunny—a Puerto Rican star who predominantly performs in Spanish—does not represent traditional American values.
Former racing driver Danica Patrick has been a vocal opponent of the Bad Bunny Selection. She took to social media to state that she doesn’t feel Bad Bunny is a “culturally unifying” performer. “I don’t care where you’re actually born. What I care about is that I can sing along to the music. His music is almost nothing in English. I don’t think it will be as much fun. I don’t think it will be as uniting. What I would hate to see is that it would divide us again, in yet another way.”
NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson also spoke on the choice, stating: “If Bad Bunny has made negative comments about the U.S., he shouldn’t come here to perform. You know, just stay in your own country.” It’s worth noting that Puerto Rico is part of the United States of America as a territory occupied by the country. When reminded of this fact, Dickerson continued his rant. “It’s not the same as the U.S., in my view. That’s how I feel.”
Perhaps it’s time to brush up on history. The law that granted Puerto Rico its status as a U.S. territory is the Foraker Act of 1900, which initially organized the island as an ‘unorganized territory’ following its acquisition from Spain after the Spanish-American war in 1898. U.S. citizenship was granted to Puerto Ricans by the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917. While Puerto Rico does not have full voting rights as an unincorporated territory, it has undeniably been a part of the United States for more than 100 years. Facts don’t care about feelings, as it were.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also weighed in on the choice, calling it a “poor one.” “I wasn’t even aware of who Bad Bunny is. But from what I’ve gathered, it appears to be a poor decision. It seems he doesn’t connect with a larger demographic,” Johnson told reporters. “In my opinion, we should have someone like Lee Greenwood or other role models in that position, rather than someone like [Bad Bunny].”
Bad Bunny’s 2025 Puerto Rico residency achieved unprecedented success, both commercially and culturally. Over a three-month period, the artist’s 31-date run at San Juan’s Coliseo de Puerto Rico drew an estimated 600,000 attendees, including many traveling from abroad during a season that typically sees slower tourism. Economists estimate the residency generated as much as $200 million to $250 million in direct economic impact, with some reports predicting the broader, ripple effect to spike as high as $400 million.
It’s worth mentioning that the NFL has been chasing the Spanish-language speaking demographic in the United States since last year. It has ramped up its games that are broadcast in Spanish and now has chosen one of the most popular Latino performers for the Halftime Show. The Latin demographic has historically preferred soccer and baseball as its most-watched sports—something the NFL hopes to change with this pick.