Super Bowl LX halftime show controversy: Over 100,000 NFL fans sign petition to replace Bad Bunny with country legend George Strait

The Super Bowl halftime show has always been as much about culture as football, and this year’s announcement has already sparked a massive debate. With Bad Bunny set to headline Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on February 8, 2026, a Change.org petition asking the NFL to replace him with George Strait has crossed a whopping 100,000 signatures. The growing campaign reflects more than a musical preference — it seems like a clash between tradition and the league’s push toward global appeal.The petition, started by organizer Kar Shell, argues that the reggaetón superstar’s performance style doesn’t fit what many American families expect from the NFL’s biggest night. Shell says the halftime show should stay “family-friendly and devoid of political commentary,” focusing instead on American music roots like country. For thousands of supporters, the issue goes beyond music — it’s about who the show represents and how it reflects national identity.

Halftime debate heats up over Bad Bunny’s selection

Supporters point out that a significant percentage of Americans speak only English, suggesting a disconnect between much of the audience and Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language catalog. Some also cite the artist’s past remarks about language learning as unsettling, calling for a performer who better reflects “American tradition.” Their proposed replacements include George Strait, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Cody Johnson, and Brooks & Dunn.

The movement gained political weight after president Donald Trump weighed in during a Newsmax interview, admitting he didn’t know who Bad Bunny was and calling the decision “crazy” and “absolutely ridiculous.”The NFL, though, isn’t budging, from its decision. Commissioner Roger Goodell reacted to the backlash directly, saying the league stands by its choice. “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell said, adding that Bad Bunny was chosen carefully to help the NFL “connect with a global audience.”Bad Bunny’s resume backs that claim up — he ranked among Spotify’s most-streamed artists in 2022, and his album Un Verano Sin Ti shattered records. His concerts alone generated an estimated a mind-boggling $400 million in Puerto Rico’s economy. Whether the petition shifts anything remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the halftime show is once again the NFL’s most hotly debated play.More NFL coverage:Russell Wilson’s wife Ciara commands the room and captivates La La Anthony as she shines in a bold embroidered sheer dressChiefs icons Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce invite fans to feast at their steakhouse 1587 Prime this Thanksgiving