“Who Owns the Halftime Stage?” The Battle Over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Slot — and a Petition to Replace Him

On September 28, 2025, the NFL, in partnership with Roc Nation and Apple Music, dropped a bombshell across the entertainment world: Bad Bunny would headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show in February 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

The reaction was thunderous — but not entirely joyful. Within hours, critics mobilized. Among the most visible response: an official petition on Change.org demanding the NFL replace Bad Bunny with country music legend George Strait. That petition has now become the centerpiece of a wider cultural tug-of-war: Which voice should carry the biggest musical moment in America?

I. The Announcement — and the Backlash

Bad Bunny, already a global force in Latin music, reacted to his selection with pride and intention. In his statement, he said:

“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself … this is for my people, my culture, and our history.”

He added a poetic touch: “Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”

Roc Nation’s Jay-Z praised him too, saying Bad Bunny’s cultural impact in Puerto Rico and beyond made him an inspired choice for the world’s biggest stage.

Yet, amid acclaim, a substantial countercurrent swelled. Almost immediately, petitions appeared insisting that the NFL scrap the decision. The most prominent one urges the league to instead place George Strait, known as the “King of Country,” in that coveted halftime slot.

II. The Case for George Strait (and the Petition’s Argument)

The petition’s central claim is that the Super Bowl halftime show should mirror an American musical tradition — a stage for familiar voices and domestic roots, not international or genre-bending risk.

They argue that George Strait, with over 60 No. 1 hits over his four-plus decade career, represents that tradition. They point to his deep catalog, his reputation for delivering heartfelt, family-friendly performances, and his sustained popularity across generations.

The petition states:

“The 2026 Super Bowl offers a unique opportunity to pay tribute to American music’s rich heritage by featuring George Strait … The halftime show should unite our country, honor American culture, and remain family-friendly … George Strait embodies unity, tradition, and timeless American music…”

It further contends that Bad Bunny — as a modern, genre-crossing artist with bold visuals, multilingual lyrics, and performances that may push boundaries — does not align with what some expect from one of the most watched, “family-friendly” shows on television.

In their view, this is not just a musical disagreement — it is a matter of identity and values. They see the halftime show as a cultural torch, and they want it carried by someone whose image is safe, known, and rooted in the American mainstream.

III. The Pushback — Defending the Choice of Bad Bunny

Of course, not everyone is playing defense for Bad Bunny. Many view this petition and the criticism behind it as symptomatic of a narrower cultural resistance to change.

Jennifer Lopez, who previously performed at a Super Bowl halftime show, urged skepticism toward the backlash. She said that “music and art transcend language,” and that assigning value based on language or genre misses the point of such a global stage.

Supporters of Bad Bunny point out that Puerto Rico is part of the United States, and he is a U.S. citizen. They argue his selection is part of a broader push to reflect a more diverse America in national events.

They also note that the halftime show has gradually evolved over the years — featuring pop, hip hop, R&B, and cross-genre performances — in part to reach broader, younger, more diverse audiences. To insist on tradition alone may risk making the show feel backward-looking.

And yet, critics of Bad Bunny frame their objection less as an attack on the artist’s talent, more as a commentary on his image, style, and statements. Some have seized on his stage persona (including drag-influenced visuals) and his comfort singing primarily in Spanish. They claim that those choices make him “out of step” with what they believe the Halftime Show should represent.

In Danica Patrick’s case — a highly visible voice — she publicly stated that acts whose primary output is non-English “should not be allowed” for an event as widely viewed as the Super Bowl.

Those views, unsurprisingly, have generated their own backlash. Many see them as a form of cultural gatekeeping or as turning an entertainment spectacle into a culture-war battleground.

IV. The Stakes: Identity, Audience, and Market Strategy

This dispute isn’t just about which artist is more “appropriate.” It exposes deeper tensions about what American culture means in 2026 — who belongs, whose voice is broadcast, and how tradition and diversity can coexist on a national stage.

From the NFL’s perspective, the decision to tap Bad Bunny likely considered his global reach, streaming dominance, and appeal to key demographics. He consistently charts at the top internationally, giving the NFL a chance to tap into a broader, younger, and diverse fan base.

Replacing him with Strait — a venerable artist beloved especially within country music — might placate certain audiences, but could risk alienating others who view this as backward or exclusionary.

Additionally, the optics of pulling a headliner under pressure would open the NFL to criticism about kowtowing to online mob demands or political pressure. The petition, though dramatic, has no guarantee of persuading decision-makers.

From the grassroots side, the petition reflects a segment of fans who feel sidelined by recent shifts in mainstream entertainment. For them, the Halftime Show matters not just as spectacle, but as affirmation of cultural identity.

V. What Happens Next — Will the NFL Bend?

So far, the NFL has not indicated any intention to reverse its selection. The announcement remains official: Bad Bunny is the headliner for Super Bowl LX.

George Strait, for his part, has not publicly commented on the petition to take his place.

Still, the petition’s momentum matters — both for optics and influence. A high number of signatures can attract media attention, spark public debate, and place pressure on stakeholders. In past entertainment controversies, large petitions have influenced reconsideration (though not always reversed decisions).

Moreover, the case is now deeply public. When Bad Bunny performs in February, he will be doing so under a spotlight not just of music, but of culture. Every choice in his set — language, visuals, guest artists — may be scrutinized as symbolic choices, not just entertainment ones.

VI. The Irony of “Replacement” in an Evolving Era

What’s ironic is that both sides seem to be claiming the same prize: ownership of a moment where music, sport, and identity converge. The petition demands an artist tethered to tradition; the defenders see the new pick as reflecting a more plural future.

Yet, in a world where music is global and audiences are diverse, the idea of a “purely traditional” halftime show is itself somewhat outdated. The Halftime Show has never fully belonged to one demographic alone. It has always balanced spectacle, mass appeal, cultural relevance, and surprise.

Bad Bunny’s selection is a turning point — not necessarily because it is wrong or right, but because it forces this question: who gets to decide which voices represent America at its biggest live moment?

Conclusion — Beyond the Petition, What This Moment Means

Whether the petition succeeds or fades, it has already done something: sparked reflection. It has asked audiences to consider what they expect from a national stage, how inclusive they believe it should be, and whether tradition must always be the default.

Bad Bunny’s tenure as headliner now exists in tension — between expectation and controversy, between the familiar and the new. The question isn’t just who performs, but why.

When the lights dim on February 8, 2026, Levi’s Stadium will host more than a performance. It will host a symbol — of identity, of listening, and of the uneasy but necessary push for every voice in America to feel seen.

Whichever artist takes that stage — or if one day there is a last-minute change — the broader conversation won’t stop. Because the Super Bowl halftime show isn’t just a musical interlude. It’s a mirror. And as America evolves, that mirror must evolve too.