The atmosphere around Super Bowl 2026 is hotter than ever — not only because of the high-profile confrontation on the field, but also because of a “thousand-pound” behind-the-scenes war between Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II and global star Bad Bunny.
According to the latest confirmation from the NFL, Bad Bunny will be the main performer at the Super Bowl 2026 Halftime show, held at Levi’s Stadium, California. However, this decision has made Art Rooney II extremely angry, saying that choosing Bad Bunny is “a big mistake that can overshadow the traditional values and sportsmanship of the Super Bowl”.
Art Rooney II – A man of tradition and honor of Steelers
As the third generation owner of the legendary Rooney family, Art Rooney II has always been known as a defender of the “classic” values of the NFL: seriousness, sportsmanship and respect for the audience.
According to inside sources, shortly after the NFL announced its decision to invite Bad Bunny, Rooney II called an emergency meeting with the Steelers’ board of directors and senior advisors in the league, expressing strong opposition.
“The Super Bowl is a celebration of American football – not a place for divisive pop culture experiments,” – Art Rooney II is said to have said in a closed-door meeting.
$10 million and an unprecedented “lobbying” in NFL history
According to Sports Illustrated, Art Rooney II spent $10 million of his personal funds on a behind-the-scenes campaign with the sole goal of preventing Bad Bunny from performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
The source said the money was used to:
Hire a top media team and lawyers to pressure the Super Bowl Organizing Committee.
Sponsor an alternative promotional campaign, suggesting other artists like Bruce Springsteen, Metallica or Carrie Underwood – icons closer to the traditional NFL audience.
Mobilize other team owners to sign a joint letter to the League Committee, asking to “reconsider the selection of Bad Bunny”.
Bad Bunny – Global star but also the center of controversy
There is no denying the huge influence of Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican singer who topped the Billboard charts and was named “Artist of the Year” by TIME. However, his unconventional, sexy and politically charged performance style also makes many in the NFL community apprehensive.
Some critics say that choosing Bad Bunny is an “attempt to attract a younger audience”, but it could also be counterproductive when a loyal part of the NFL fan base, who prefers a strong, traditional style, may feel “alienated”.
“Bad Bunny is a great artist, but the Super Bowl is not a place to shock or experiment with ideas,” – a former NFL communications director shared.
Public reaction: NFL divided, social media exploded
Just hours after the news broke, social media X (Twitter) and Instagram were flooded with mixed comments:
One side supported Bad Bunny, saying this was a bold move to help the NFL rejuvenate and globalize the image of the league.
The other side sided with Art Rooney II, asserting that the Super Bowl is a “temple of football”, not a commercial music festival.
The hashtag #KeepBadBunnyOutOfSuperBowl even reached the top global trends in just 3 hours, while #LetBadBunnyShine also garnered more than 2 million tweets.
The NFL remains silent – Will the final decision change Super Bowl history?
As of now, the NFL Commission has not officially responded to Art Rooney II’s $10 million protest. However, according to ESPN, the commission is considering holding a closed-door meeting again in early November to review “all factors related to the suitability of the performer.”
If the change is approved, it will be the first time in Super Bowl history that an announced performer has been removed from the lineup due to pressure from a team owner.
