ARE YOU READY FOR SUPER BOWL 2026 WITH LIONEL RICHIE? The NFL’s Epic Switch from Bad Bunny Ignites a Timeless Throwback Frenzy

Santa Clara, California, October 13, 2025 – Buckle up, America—the Super Bowl halftime show just got a soul-stirring upgrade that’s sending shockwaves from Motown to the end zone. In a stunning pivot announced this afternoon, the NFL has axed its contract with Bad Bunny, the reggaeton sensation selected just two weeks ago to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium. The reason? Bad Bunny’s viral mockery of the late Charlie Kirk—tweeting a savage meme of the conservative activist as a “faded quarterback” after refusing to perform a tribute song during rehearsals—and escalating backlash from MAGA circles that threatened sponsor pullouts. Stepping into the spotlight: Lionel Richie, the 76-year-old R&B legend whose timeless anthems like “Hello” and “All Night Long” have defined romance for generations. Fans are ecstatic, social media is erupting, and petitions for ticket sales have already surpassed 600,000 signatures. “Lionel’s the voice of unity—pure, heartfelt, American,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell declared at a packed press conference. “This is halftime as heritage, ready to unite 150 million viewers in feel-good magic.”

The saga reads like a blockbuster script. Bad Bunny’s September 28 reveal—dropped during NBC’s Packers-Cowboys halftime—promised high-octane Latin rhythms, teasing a cultural milestone for the Puerto Rican star amid his U.S.-skipping world tour over ICE fears. But conservative fury boiled over fast. Turning Point USA, founded by the assassinated Charlie Kirk, fired back on October 9 with “The All-American Halftime Show,” a rival event polling fans for “Anything in English” or “Worship” genres to counter what they called Bad Bunny’s “anti-patriotic” vibes. Kirk’s death in September, amid conspiracy theories, amplified the outrage; President Trump labeled the pick “absolutely ridiculous” on Truth Social, while House Speaker Mike Johnson and Marjorie Taylor Greene decried “demonic” influences. Bad Bunny’s SNL monologue on October 4—clapping back at critics in Spanglish—sealed the deal, with sponsors like Anheuser-Busch citing advertiser jitters from past NFL dust-ups, including the 2024 Harrison Butker saga.

Enter Richie, the Tuskegee-born crooner whose velvet voice has sold 90 million records and penned “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson. Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s NFL production partner since 2019, executed the switch seamlessly, envisioning a set fusing Richie’s ’80s classics with surprise guests teased as “icons of joy.” “Lionel’s not chasing trends—he’s the trend,” Jay-Z stated. “From ‘Endless Love’ to a stadium sing-along, this’ll be timeless.” Richie, emotional in a video drop, wiped away tears: “I’ve sung at Olympics, memorials, and now the Super Dome? This is for every heart that’s ever said ‘Hello’ to a stranger. Let’s make memories that’ll last all night long.” His NFL ties run deep: co-writing Super Bowl XXVII’s “We Are the World” backdrop for Michael Jackson in 1993, and a 2018 TD Ameritrade ad riffing on “All Night Long” for 24/7 trading. Fans adore the full-circle nod—Richie’s 1984 Olympic set was “awesome,” he once told TMZ, but “Super Bowl’s where it’s at.”

The internet’s on fire. #LionelForSuperBowl exploded to 14.2 million posts on X within hours, with @SoulfulFanatic declaring, “Bad Bunny who? Lionel’s ‘Hello’ will have 150M ugly-crying in harmony! 🇺🇸🎤” Change.org’s “Open Super Bowl Tickets NOW for Lionel” petition hit 620K signatures, users like @RichieLegacy pleading, “Don’t make us wait—drop those seats before we duet ‘Easy’ in the streets!” Nashville bars pivoted to Commodores marathons, while Levi’s Stadium lines jammed with 12,000 inquiries by dusk. Garth Brooks, Richie’s longtime pal, hyped it on Instagram: “Lionel’s got the voice that heals divides—Super Bowl just got legendary.” Even Bad Bunny’s camp bowed out gracefully: “Respect to Lionel—timeless wins. Benito’s touring on.”

Critics? A vocal minority. Latin advocates slammed the move as “MAGA capitulation,” echoing Turning Point’s “English-only” poll that drew ire for sidelining Puerto Rican pride—Bad Bunny’s a U.S. citizen, after all. TPUSA, undeterred, teased their counter-show with “faith, family, freedom” vibes, but metrics tilt Richie’s way: His streams surged 55% post-announce, per Spotify, priming the NFL’s global audience for a feel-good reset after Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 edge. Analysts forecast a 20% ticket surge, with suites reselling at double.

Richie’s spectacle, helmed by Hamish Hamilton (Usher 2024), teases fireworks to “Dancing on the Ceiling,” potential duets with Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, or a holographic Commodores reunion. “It’s connection over controversy,” Richie told Billboard. “From 49ers fans to Chiefs diehards, we’ll say ‘Hello’ to what binds us: love, laughter, legacy.” Rehearsals start in L.A. next week, buzz building like a slow-burn ballad.

America, gear up: Super Bowl LX isn’t a game—it’s Richie’s symphony, where R&B romance crashes football fever. Tickets? Release ’em stat. The maestro’s here, and he’s singing straight to your soul.