Why the N.F.L. Booked Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl

Bad Bunny’s outspoken views on U.S. immigration have put the politics‑wary N.F.L. in an awkward position. To understand why the league selected the Latin superstar to headline this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, you have to go back to 2018. That year the league faced unprecedented backlash over players kneeling during the national anthem to draw attention to police brutality and social justice issues, protests started by Colin Kaepernick in 2016.

President Trump in particular derided the league and called on team owners to fire players who did not stand. Some singers said they would not perform in solidarity with Kaepernick, and when the N.F.L. chose Maroon 5 for the 2019 halftime show the performance was widely panned.

Robert K. Kraft, who has deep connections in the music industry and Hollywood, and commissioner Roger Goodell flew to Los Angeles to meet Jay-Z.

United States, Los Angeles

bad bunny, nfl, super bowl, halftime show, immigration, colin kaepernick, national anthem, police brutality, roger goodell, robert kraft