As a Latino and a sports fan, I’ve always looked at the Super Bowl as both a game and a cultural event — a moment that defines who gets to stand at the center of America’s biggest stage. So when Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican singer, agreed to perform at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show after once saying that he wouldn’t perform in the U.S because of ICE, I didn’t see hypocrisy.
In my opinion, sports and music have always been connected. The halftime show is just as important in the Super Bowl as the touchdowns, commercials, and confetti. I’m sure some people only care about the halftime show and commercials. And when an artist like Bad Bunny steps onto the field, it’s not just a concert. It can be a statement about who the NFL believes represents America right now.
This is the same league that once struggled with diversity and inclusion. It’s the same Super Bowl that gave us Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020, which was a Latina-led performance that still sparked debate whether it was “too Latin” for mainstream America.
When Bad Bunny previously said he wouldn’t perform in the U.S. because ICE might target his Latino fans, lots of his supporters agreed. I understood his fear and his loyalty to the people who made him who he is. That’s why his Super Bowl appearance means something deeper than a booking announcement.
We as sports fans know about comeback stories — teams are written off, players told they’re finished, and end up coming back to silence the crowd. That’s the energy Bad Bunny is bringing to the Super Bowl. For the people that will be tuning in, especially Latinos, know the spotlight will be brutal, but he’s showing up anyway.
Some fans will call it selling out. Others will say he’s lost touch. But I see it as a championship moment — just like great athletes, great performers find a way to turn pressure into power.
So when the lights go out and the performance starts at Levi’s Stadium next February, don’t just watch the show. Just like Kendrick Lamar’s performance earlier this year, watch for the symbolism, culture, and pride.
