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America's top football league has no plans to drop Bad Bunny as the star attraction for the prestigious mid-game entertainment, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced this week.

With this affirmation, Goodell stood by the decision to place the Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage, a move that sparked negative reactions from Donald Trump and his political base.

Goodell commented on the controversy during his news conference following the annual fall owners meeting. This marks the first time he has spoken out on the appointment, which has garnered global interest, including a rise in streams of Bad Bunny’s music alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” the commissioner said. “I’m not sure we have chosen an artist where we avoided pushback or criticism. It’s challenging to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.”

The reggaeton star, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal opponent of the former leader. He lately opted to hold a 31-day residency in his homeland, avoiding performances in the continental United States, referencing apprehensions about the mass deportation of Hispanic individuals.

The artist, who sings primarily in his native language, is expected to continue this at the big game.

“We believe it’s going to be a great show,” Goodell said. “He is aware of the opportunity that he’s on, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a united experience.”

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the championship game on February 8 at the Santa Clara venue in the Bay Area. There is uncertainty if the former president intends to attend, though he has turned physical attendance at high-profile games a significant part of his second term.

Trump in an interview on conservative news network the outlet said he had “no knowledge of” the performer.

“I’m unfamiliar with his identity,” he said. “I don’t know the reasoning behind it. It seems absurd. And then, they attribute it to some promoter they contracted to select entertainment. I think it’s completely unreasonable.”

The commissioner supported the choice on Wednesday, explaining it was made because of the artist’s massive fanbase.

“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell affirmed. “That’s what we aim to accomplish. It represents a crucial stage for us. It’s an important element to the overall experience.”