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Bad Bunny Wins Album Of The Year Grammy Ahead Of Super Bowl Halftime Performance 

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Bad Bunny has made history in what’s set to be a historic week for the Puerto Rican superstar. Last Sunday night, his album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS became the first Spanish-language album to win Album Of The Year, and this Sunday he’ll be taking the stage to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime show.

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Bad Bunny Announced As Super Bowl LX Halftime Show 

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Puerto Rican superstar, musician, and cultural icon Bad Bunny has been announced as the halftime show performer for Super Bowl LX. This official announcement came just after the artist finished his residency in Puerto Rico. 

“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history.” 

Bad Bunny, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is a three-time Grammy winner who is currently at a career high. His two-month residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan consisted of 31 shows, with the finale being streamed on Amazon. 

The residency made headlines as it helped generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tourist revenue since its beginning in July. 

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Jay-Z, CEO and founder of entertainment and sports company Roc Nation which partners with the NFL and Apple Music to produce the halftime show, said:

“What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.” 

Apple’s Vice President of Music, Sports, and Beats, Olivia Schusser, said in the NFL announcement statement that Bad Bunny’s come up within the industry was “meteoric” and hailed the musician for his wide-reaching impact on Latin culture. 

“Bad Bunny’s music has not only broken records but has elevated Latin music to the center of pop-culture.”

Headlining the Super Bowl halftime show is a major accomplishment for any artist. Last year’s performance by Kendrick Lamar was the most-watched halftime show in history, and received four Emmy nominations and a win for Outstanding Music Direction. 

Bad Bunny is also set to start a world tour in November with stops in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. 

He’s made it clear that he’s avoiding tour stops in the US over fears of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement raiding venues. However, he stated that after talking with his team, the Super Bowl seemed appropriate as the only stop in the US on his tour.

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Travis Kelce Says He Hasn’t Decided What The Future Of His NFL Career Will Be Following Super Bowl 

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce stated that he has yet to make a decision regarding the future of his NFL career after his team was defeated in the Super Bowl.

Before the Super Bowl, Kelce stated on multiple occasions that he was planning on playing for the Chiefs in the 2025 season, however, on a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason, he was a little more vague. 

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“I know everybody wants to know whether I’m playing next year and right now, I’m just kicking everything down the road. I’m kicking every can I can down the road. I’m not making any crazy decisions,” Kelce said.

“I’ve been fortunate over the past five, six years, I’ve played more football than anybody. It’s because of the people that are in that building. The fact that we keep going to these AFC championships and these Super Bowls, that means I’m playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league. 

That’s a lot of wear and tear on your body and it’s a lot of time spent in the building, focusing on your craft, focusing on the task at hand and every challenge that you set up for yourself.”

Kelce is already one of the most well-known and accomplished players in the league, and has cemented his legacy for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’s a 10-time Pro Bowler and has the most postseason receptions of anyone in the NFL. 

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He’s received the most career receiving yards of any player on the Chiefs, and the four catches for 39 yards during the Super Bowl gave him the record for the most career Super Bowl receptions. 

“As you see yourself or not feel yourself have the success you once had, it’s a tough pill to swallow,” said Kelce. 

“For that not to be there in the biggest moments, knowing your team’s counting on you, those are all extremely hard things … it’s just a tough reality.”

“I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, it’s going to be something that it’s a whole-hearted decision. Not half-assing it. I’m fully here for them and I think I could play. 

It’s just whether or not I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human and as a person to take on all of that responsibility,” he said.

nfl

NFL Commissioner Says Super Bowl Could Take Place Outside US In The Future 

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated this past week that the Super Bowl could be held outside of the United Stated as a part of the NFL’s international growth plan. The announcement was surprising to some fans as Goodell had refused the idea in the past. 

“We’ve always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city – that was always sort of a reward for the cities that have NFL franchises,” he said at a fan forum in London. 

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“But things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”

Goodell also outlined a plan that would potentially include playing 16 games internationally every year if the regular seasons expand to 18 games. 

He stated that there was “no doubt” that Ireland would host a game as well as Rio de Janeiro. The Jacksonville Jaguars are also considering playing more games in London while their home stadium undergoes renovations. 

This season’s Super Bowl will occur in New Orleans, in 2026 it will be hosted at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and in 2027 at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

“If we do expand our season – our regular season – to an 18-and-two structure, I see us going to 16 of those games being in international markets,” Goodell said.

“A lot of that depends on – can we continue to make the game safer, can we continue to modify the way we conduct the offseason as well as the training camp and as well as the season, so that these guys feel comfortable being able to play that period of time,” Goodell said.

For this season there are five international games, and Goodell stated that the league wants to increase that number to eight, with Dublin as the next likely host. .

“I have no doubt that we’re going to be playing in Ireland. I don’t know if it will be next year, but it’s coming soon,” Goodell said.

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“We’re looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia. There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”

Goodell expects “some offseason tweaks to the new kickoff rules but on the whole, it’s working. The new rules have made kickoffs relevant again, and the early data on injuries is promising. Just over 30% of kickoffs have been returned this season compared with 20% last season.”

“With that increase in returns, it’s giving us more data to determine whether we can do it more safely. It actually is incredibly promising. We’re seeing lower impacts that have led to less severe injuries and less number of injuries. So, I think it’s working,” Goodell said.

“On average, kickoffs drives are starting just past the 29-yard line, compared with just past the 24 previously,” he said.

“I think what we’ll see ultimately is a change in the offseason,” Goodell said. 

“Once we know it’s a safer play, it will encourage more kickoffs. That could happen in a couple of ways. You could move the kickoff line back, so that they can’t kick it out as easily. You could also say the penalty for kicking it out is going to go to the 35 instead of where we’re at, the 30.”

Ways To Make Sure Your Super Bowl Party A Surefire Touchdown

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For socialites, it’s almost one of the best times of the year. The Cincinnati Bengals will face off against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, while millions will be throwing parties to celebrate the big game. While hosting can result in quite a bit of pressure, there are a number of tips you can follow to help you not only budget, but ensure fun and safety for all.

In the new world we live in, it’s important to consider COVID-19 recommendations and precautions when planning your party. Some people might be okay with large groups, while others might only be more relaxed around a couple people that they know are vaccinated.

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If you plan on inviting the friends that prefer small, personal gatherings, you should limit the guest list. On the flip side, if you intend on having a more sizeable party, it might be best for all to leave those who you know wouldn’t be comfortable off the guest list. You can also take further measures — such as social distancing and giving out snacks in small bags instead of having a communal bowl — to limit potential risks.

According to Times Union, a typical Super Bowl spread could cost 14% more than it did in 2021, while the cost of prepared chicken wings are up 14% and 26% for bone-in and boneless, respectively. Other popular choices, like soda and snacks, have also risen in price.

Those surges may seem intimidating, but there are plenty of ways to still succeed on a budget. When it comes to decorations, consider making your own or buying supplies from cheaper retailers like the Dollar Store. You can also make your own games, such as trivia and bingo, with little-to-no hassle. Keep an eye out for coupons and promotions, too – they can go a long way towards bringing the receipt down.

As for food, meanwhile, Times Union notes buying bulk frozen foods can be a much cheaper and less time consuming method of feeding your guests. Or, you can have everyone chip in by bringing their own dish. Not only will it spread the responsibility around and break up stress in the process, it’ll diverse your platter options – and perhaps even introduce you to some great new recipes.

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When considering servings, you might be ready to hit up the classics with pizza and wings. However, trying new dishes is always a fun option, and gives your party some uniqueness. Good Housekeeping has a number of mouthwatering appetizers and entrees, from spinach artichoke tartines to lamb sliders with pepper relish.

Alcohol can be trickier to decide on than food because of the diverse amount of types and preferences, so making your party BYOB is a smart way of knowing everyone will be happy with their beverage, whether that’s beer, wine, or a mixed drink.

Most importantly, the party thrower can have fun too. They’re the ones that help to set the mood for the party, so if you’re relaxed, people will follow suit. Making all the food is prepared for the game is a great way to help, so there’s no need to be rushing around. Remember, there’s nothing worse than a fretful and overbearing host that will have attendees wishing for the game clock to finally hit zero.

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Super Bowl LV Most Streamed Game In NFL History

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In general, this was the least-watched Super Bowl in recent history, but it was the most streamed game in NFL history, likely due to the multitude of platforms that now exist and offer live television for its users.

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Womens Empowerment

2020 Super Bowl Ads Are Just Scratching The Surface Of Gender Equality

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In what’s being viewed as a major “baby step” for the NFL, individuals on the business end of all things Super Bowl have finally recognized that almost half of their audience is made up of women, so the advertisements and representation within them should acknowledge and respect that. 

In a 40-minute-long press conference, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell discussed a lot of social issues that the NFL needs to tackle, pun intended, in order to progress with society. He claimed that the league now has an estimated 187.3 million loyal fans, 47% of which are women, the most gender-balanced the Super Bowl viewer stats have ever been; so it’s about time that the commercials reflect that. 

Super Bowl advertisements cost, at the very least, $5 million just to run; that doesn’t include the actual cost it takes to make the commercial. This is because advertisers know that the commercials are almost just as crucial to the Super Bowl as the actual football players, and bring in a hefty chunk of viewership. 

With major headlines being made this year regarding Katie Sowers, the first female coach and first openly gay coach to reach the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49er’s, a major discussion was opened up regarding the overall inequality and sexism that’s rooted in the professional sports industry.  

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“Female viewership was up 5% for the 2019 season after growing 6% in the year prior. In 2019, 38% of avid NFL fans were female, an all-time high. The league will show a two-minute pre-game ad that shows the ‘passing the torch to the next generation of fans.’ It will include 32 kids, about one-third female, representing teams in the NFL and will feature Toni Harris, the first woman to receive a full college scholarship as a position player,” Tim Ellis, NFL’s chief marketing officer, told CNBC in an interview done prior to the Super Bowl.

If you were to look at the Super Bowl ads from even five-years-ago, you’d notice a lot more commercials emphasizing the “male gaze,” which is a term that is used when certain forms of media are created by men, for men. These pieces of media often objectify women and keep them in a box that’s rooted in sexism and hetero-normative oppression.

The 2020 Super Bowl advertisements definitely showed some improvement from years prior, however, more work is still to be done. Katie Sowers herself was in an ad for Microsoft that emphasized her monumental moment for this year’s big game, and gave the audience a very “if I can do it, so can you” message. Olay also had a clever take on the classic “make space for woman” trope, along with SodaStream, who’s ad featured Alyssa Carson, the 18-year-old astro-biologist in training who’s working to be a part of the first space crew to go to Mars. 

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While all of these examples of female representation are impressive, especially when compared to ads from years prior, many understand that the NFL and advertisers are just scratching the surface of feminist values in their attempt at being more inclusive. The half-time show this year featured Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and J. Balvin, all performers of Latin decent in a performance that emphasized the beauty of Latinx, African, and Arab culture. The performance was also rooted in dozens of political symbolism; the most prominent showing children meditating in cages to represent the current crisis occuring at our borders. 

The halftime show provided the type of representation and support for women, and people of color in general, that audiences want to see. Real life successful individuals who are proud of their culture and willing to use their platform to speak up against injustices and archaic forms of inequality that are still so prominent in our culture today.

According to a study done by the Geena Davis Institute and Google, male characters in Super Bowl ads receive 2.5 times more speaking time than female characters, and they’re twice as likely to be playing some sort of position of power; the study itself mainly reviewed ads from 2015 to 2019. The study also mentioned that between 2008 and 2017, 86% of the ads televised had men playing a “principal character” compared to only 14% by women. 

The main point of all of this is that while inclusivity is important, it’s not the overarching goal. Instead of just showing the world a picture of equality, it’s important for brands to understand what audiences really want to see, real support for women of all shapes, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, etc.. Advertisements that give the same message Microsoft gave with their 2020 ad; it doesn’t matter who you are, what you are, or how you identify, dream big, because that could be you coaching a team at the Super Bowl in 10 years. 

 

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Dallas Cowboys Hire Mike McCarthy as Head Coach

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This week has seen “America’s Team” end Jason Garrett’s nine-year tenure as head coach and replace him with former Green Bay Packers boss Mike McCarthy. Following a disappointing season for the Cowboys, owner Jerry Jones took longer than expected to get rid of Garrett but after a 12-hour interview soon decided that McCarthy, out of a job since December 2018, was the man to take his franchise forward.

Jones has expressed his dismay throughout the season with the Cowboys consistently failing to live up to expectations and eventually finishing 8-8 to come second to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, meaning they missed the playoffs for the seventh time in Jason Garrett’s reign.

Meanwhile, Mike McCarthy went to the playoffs in eight straight seasons with the Packers in his only previous head coaching role, the fourth head coach in NFL history to complete such a feat. Overall, McCarthy led the Packers for 12 full seasons and made the playoffs in nine of those, including a championship win in the 2010 season.

This experience was naturally a big factor in Jones’ decision to hire McCarthy, as well as his track record in commanding a team and franchise with such high expectations from fans, owner and media alike. Jones also required a head coach who would advocate the owner’s heavy involvement in decision making from the top of the franchise to the bottom.

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Speaking after the official announcement, Jones explained why he thought McCarthy was the perfect fit:

“One of our primary goals in selecting the next coach of the Dallas Cowboys was to focus on improving, team builder and winner,” Jones said. “Someone who’s got a proven track record of winning, not only consistently but at the highest level. In Mike McCarthy we found a coach who not only checked those boxes but also has the experience of taking an NFL team to the biggest stage, the Super Bowl, and completing the job.”

McCarthy had already met with the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers before his interview with the Cowboys hierarchy and Jones was quick to point out how lucky he felt to be able to appoint the 56-year-old.

“When I first got in the NFL, and our family, I looked real smart, very smart, because right as we walked through the door, Troy Aikman was the first pick in the draft, and the Dallas Cowboys had the first pick in the draft,” Jones said during McCarthy’s introductory press conference. “And the Dallas Cowboys needed a great quarterback to start. Those combinations of things can make you look real smart when that timing comes together.

“That’s the analogy I’m alluding to here. Yes, we needed Mike. We needed a coach. But to have his availability and to have his track record and ability to check all the boxes that I just talked about was fortuitous for this franchise. … And so while our time together initially talking about this job was meaningful, so much more went into how and why he’s sitting at this table today.”

Much to Jones’ happiness, McCarthy expressed his content at how the decision-making process will continue to be a collaborative affair, stating that making “we decisions” is “all you can ask for as a head coach.”

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Despite a lackluster 8-8 season, this Cowboys team is clearly littered with a plethora of young talent, one of the main reasons McCarthy held out for this job in particular. Quarterback Dak Prescott is coming off a career-high 30 touchdown season and ended just one yard short of the franchise’s all-time passing yardage record.

In Green Bay, Mike McCarthy was blessed with incredible talent at the quarterback position, first coaching Packers legend Brett Favre then helping two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers rise to prominence before winning a Super Bowl with the now 36-year-old.

Naturally, coaching another supremely talented quarterback was a huge draw for McCarthy and at 26, Prescott represents a perfect mix of experience and youth for McCarthy to mould.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to work with Dak,” McCarthy said. “I think what he’s done so far is very impressive. I think like a lot of us in the league you watch people from afar but when you have a chance to watch a player live and I can recall his rookie year when we played him there in Green Bay so I’ve always been impressed with him. You’re going to be able to run the whole offense and then some. I think he has an incredible foundation to build off of and our offensive system will be built around making the quarterback successful, that’s the way I’ve learned it and that’s the way I believe you play offense. We have a great one here to work with.”

Mike McCarthy’s support staff has not yet been announced but with veteran names like Mike Nolan and Jim Tomsula being rumoured, it seems that the Cowboys will follow up the arrival of McCarthy with yet more league experience.