Cowboys Co-Owner Defends Bad Bunny as Super Bowl Halftime Performer: ‘Our Whole Society Is Based on Immigrants’

Bad Bunny is an “awesome” pick for the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show, says Charlotte Jones, co-owner and chief brand officer for the Dallas Cowboys.

In an interview on the Katie Miller Podcast released on Tuesday, Nov. 11, Jones, the daughter of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, defended the NFL’s decision to have the Puerto Rican singer perform in the coveted slot, amid backlash from conservative fans.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Jones. “I think our Latina fanbase is amazing and I think when you think about the Super Bowl, you want the No. 1 performer in the world to be there. Our whole society is based on immigrants that have come here and have founded our country, and I think we can celebrate that.”

The Cowboys’ VP also shared her thoughts on politics in football, after Fox Sports drew pushback for inviting President Donald Trump onto their broadcast during Sunday Night Football on Nov. 9.

“I don’t think our game is about politics,” Jones told Miller. “I don’t think people tune in to look at politics.”

She added that her organization does “everything we can to avoid politics” in the game.

“People will be watching the game, they’ll be celebrating music, and nobody will be thinking what comments on the left side, what comments on the right side…this is about bringing people together,” Jones said.

Jones explained that including politics “would divide half of this stadium” but she and the Cowboys “want everybody to support us and to support the game, so we don’t think we have a place for politics.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also defended the decision to have Bad Bunny perform following the backlash. Goodell said the decision was “carefully thought through,” adding, “We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” according to ESPN and NFL.com.

“I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism,” Goodell continued. “And I think it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”

The commissioner explained that Bad Bunny was chosen for the coveted slot because he’s “one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world.”

“That’s what we try to achieve,” he said. “It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”