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The NFL will not remove the global music icon as the star attraction for the Super Bowl halftime show, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Wednesday.

In doing so, Goodell reaffirmed the choice to place the Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage, a move that drew negative reactions from Donald Trump and some of his supporters.

Goodell commented on the controversy during his news conference following the annual fall owners meeting. This marks the initial instance he has publicly remarked on the selection, which has garnered worldwide attention, including a surge in streams of the artist's catalog alongside opposition.

“The decision was thoroughly considered,” the commissioner said. “I doubt we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s challenging to do when you have truly hundreds of millions of people tuning in.”

The reggaeton star, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of Trump. He lately opted to do a month-long concert series in Puerto Rico, skipping stops in the mainland US, referencing apprehensions about the mass deportation of Latinos.

The artist, who performs primarily in his native language, is expected to continue this at the Super Bowl.

“We believe it will deliver a great show,” the NFL commissioner said. “He understands the opportunity that he has, and in my view it’s going to be exciting and a unifying moment.”

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the championship game on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if Trump plans to be there, though he has turned appearing in person at major sporting events a key aspect of his current presidency.

Trump in an interview on right-leaning media the outlet claimed he had “no knowledge of” the performer.

“I’m unfamiliar with who he is,” Trump said. “I can’t comprehend why they’re doing it. It seems absurd. And then, they blame it on an outside booker they hired to pick up talent. In my opinion it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

The commissioner defended the decision this week, explaining it was made because of the artist’s immense popularity.

“He ranks among the top and most popular entertainers in the world,” he affirmed. “That’s what we try to accomplish. It’s an important platform for the league. It’s an important element to the overall experience.”