A petition on Change.org calling for the substitution of the Latin superstar Bad Bunny with country music legend George Strait at the halftime show of the 2026 Super Bowl LX has surpassed the 100,000 signature threshold, as reported by the American portal Newsweek.
The initiative arose following the decision of the National Football League (NFL) for the Puerto Rican artist to headline next year's performance at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The petitioners argue that Bad Bunny's performances and style are the opposite of what American families expect from the country's biggest sporting event.
The over 100,000 signatures ignite a cultural debate that goes beyond American identity and audience diversity. The organizer, Kar Shell, argues that the Super Bowl halftime show should be family-friendly, avoiding politics, and celebrating American musical traditions, especially country music, which - as emphasized - has been underrepresented in previous editions.
The controversy transcends musical preferences and brings up issues such as immigration, language, and political involvement in sports.
In an interview with conservative network Newsmax in October, former President Donald Trump rejected Bad Bunny's selection for the event, stating he had never heard of him. "I don't know who he is," he said. "I don't know why they're doing it. It's crazy. It seems absolutely ridiculous."
Turning Point USA, the organization co-founded by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, also announced in October that they will organize their own halftime show as counterprogramming to the Super Bowl LX.
The Super Bowl is one of the few live events that families of all ages watch together, and the halftime show should entertain the entire audience without explicit or controversial content. Additionally, the petition highlights that approximately 78% of Americans only speak English and that music should build bridges, not emphasize differences, criticizing Bad Bunny's comments on the need to learn another language to enjoy his show.
"The Super Bowl halftime show should unite our country, honor American culture, and be family-friendly, not become a political maneuver. Bad Bunny does not represent any of those values; his performances and style are the opposite of what families expect from the biggest stage in American football," states the initiative's text.
The petition also suggests other country artists like Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Cody Johnson, or Brooks & Dunn, who - according to the signatories - could offer a show that honors American musical roots while being energetic and family-friendly.
On the other hand, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell firmly stated in October that the league does not plan to remove Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and emphasized that the choice was carefully considered, noting that the NFL rarely selects an artist without facing some criticism.
The leader pointed out that the selection reflects the league's commitment to a global audience. "He is one of the most important and popular artists in the world," he said. "That's what we're trying to achieve. It's a very relevant stage for us and a key element of entertainment value."