Former ESPN star Sage Steele has publicly outlined her primary concern regarding Bad Bunny's forthcoming halftime performance at Super Bowl LX, shifting the focus away from the political backlash that has surrounded the announcement.
The Core of the Controversy
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is scheduled to take the stage at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco this Sunday for the NFL's end-of-season finale. This booking has faced fierce opposition, notably from Donald Trump and MAGA-aligned NFL fans, primarily due to the Puerto Rican artist's vocal criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Steele's Distinct Perspective
However, Steele, who departed from ESPN in August 2023, suggested during an appearance on 'Faulkner Focus' that a more significant issue exists beyond the rapper's anti-ICE stance. "I want to point this one thing out as well," Steele stated ahead of the big game. "This isn't about someone who is not American, and Bad Bunny is, but it isn't about that."
She elaborated by drawing a comparison: "U2, they're from Ireland. They gave an amazing performance right after 9/11 twenty-something years ago. This is about, as an artist, you lead with hate, and that is what Bad Bunny has done from day one."
The Language Demand Issue
Steele specifically highlighted Bad Bunny's previous comments about language as particularly troubling. "When he says, 'I'm not going to speak your language, you have four months to learn it,' are you kidding me?" she remarked. "It would never be acceptable in their country. So, that's the disturbing thing. Not that he's from Puerto Rico. That he says he hates us, he's not going to take our money but now he's doing it."
Bad Bunny has indeed made remarks about American fans learning Spanish, including a quip during his Saturday Night Live appearance. He has also been outspoken against the Trump administration, citing ICE agents as a reason for excluding mainland US dates from a past tour and criticising the agency at the 2026 Grammys.
Business Decisions and Alternatives
While acknowledging the NFL's business rationale for selecting Bad Bunny, Steele praised Turning Point USA for offering a conservative alternative to the halftime show. The TPUSA event, scheduled to air around 8pm in direct competition, will feature performances by Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.
"I love there's an alternative," Steele said. "That's what America is all about, and I give TPUSA a lot of credit for doing so. I think it was needed more than ever."
Audience Reactions and Global Ambitions
Steele speculated on viewer behaviour, noting, "However, I believe more people will probably go ahead and watch the Super Bowl halftime show with Bad Bunny if for no other reason because a lot of times people hate-watch just to see how bad he is going to be."
She concluded by emphasising the NFL's strategic priorities: "What we have to remember is that this is a business decision. Two years ago, there were only two other NFL games played in other countries. Last season, three, and in 2025, five games. All the commissioner cares about right now is growing the game, and they want to be in more countries. They don't care what the players that were interviewed are saying or what the fans are saying. This is about the business of the NFL and making it more global."
In related news, Bad Bunny recently admitted to struggling with sleep in the lead-up to his Super Bowl performance. During a press conference in San Francisco, the three-time Grammy winner teased special guests and promised to pay tribute to his cultural roots during the highly anticipated show.
