Former ESPN star Sage Steele has shared her biggest issue with Bad Bunny’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LX.
Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, will take to the stage at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday as the performer for the end-of-season finale in San Francisco – despite fierce opposition.
Donald Trump led the backlash from MAGA-leaning NFL fans and conservative commentators over the choice, due to the rapper’s criticism of the administration’s immigration policies.
However, Steele, who left ESPN in August 2023, suggested there was a bigger problem than the rapper’s anti-ICE stance.
‘I want to point this one thing out as well,’ Steele said on ‘Faulkner Focus’ ahead of the big game. ‘This isn’t about someone who is not American, and Bad Bunny is, but it isn’t about that.
‘U2, they’re from Ireland. They gave an amazing performance right after 9/11 20-something years ago. This is about, as an artist, you lead with hate, and that is what Bad Bunny has done from day one.
Former ESPN star Sage Steele has shared her biggest issue with Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show
The Puerto Rican artist will perform at Super Bowl LX despite heavy MAGA criticism
‘When he says, ‘I’m not going to speak your language, you have four months to learn it,’ are you kidding me? 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 previously spoken out against the Trump administration and cited ICE agents as a reason why he did not include any mainland US dates for his tour – before once again calling out the federal law enforcement group at the 2026 Grammys.
The Puerto Rican artist, who won three Grammys last weekend, also previously made a quip during his SNL appearance about American fans needing to learn Spanish for his performance.
Steele, while she admitted the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny from a business perspective, praised Turning Point USA for offering an alternative to the rapper’s halftime show.
Scheduled to air around 8pm as a direct alternative to Bunny, the TPUSA show for conservative viewers will include 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.
‘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.
‘Unfortunately, he made it very clear. He’s like, I’m not speaking in English. I’m singing in Spanish. You have four months to learn the language.’ And I think that’s the part, along with the hate and talk about ICE, etc., that disturbs so many people.
Sage, who left ESPN in 2023, is pictured with Aubrey Laitsch (middle) and Erika Kirk (right)
Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett will all perform at TPUSA’s rival show
‘However, 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.’
Bad Bunny recently admitted that he is struggling to sleep leading up to his Super Bowl halftime performance.
The Puerto Rican star held a press conference about Sunday’s hugely anticipated show in San Francisco where he teased special guests and vowed to pay tribute to his roots.
