Super Bowl LX Week Marred by NFL Controversies

From missteps at NFL Honors to off-field issues, the lead-up to the big game has been messy for the league.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The week leading up to Super Bowl LX has been plagued by a series of controversies for the NFL, including mistakes at the NFL Honors ceremony, issues with the Super Bowl halftime show performer, labor disputes, and a scandal involving a team owner's connection to Jeffrey Epstein. The league has faced a barrage of negative headlines, raising concerns about whether the actual game day experience will be able to overcome the tumultuous build-up.

Why it matters

The Super Bowl is the NFL's biggest and most important event of the year, serving as the culmination of the season and a showcase for the league. When the lead-up to the game is marred by so many controversies, it raises questions about the NFL's ability to execute a smooth and successful event that lives up to the hype. These issues could dampen enthusiasm and viewership for the game itself.

The details

The controversies include: the NFL Honors ceremony where presenters messed up the names of award winners; backlash over the Super Bowl halftime show performer Bad Bunny's political comments; ongoing labor disputes with the players' union; and revelations that Giants co-owner Steve Tisch was connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in emails. There was also controversy around the Hall of Fame class not including legendary coach Bill Belichick.

  • The NFL Honors ceremony took place on Thursday, February 6, 2026.
  • The Grammy Awards, where Bad Bunny made his political comments, occurred on Sunday, February 2, 2026.
  • NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held his annual state of the league press conference on Monday, February 3, 2026.
  • The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was unveiled on Thursday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Mike Vrabel

Head coach of the New England Patriots and winner of the NFL Coach of the Year award.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks and winner of the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.

Jon Gruden

Former head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders who is suing the NFL over his ouster.

Roger Goodell

Commissioner of the National Football League.

Steve Tisch

Co-owner of the New York Giants, whose connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has come under scrutiny.

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What they’re saying

“Our members have no appetite for an 18-game regular-season. The 18th game is not casual for us...”

— David White, Interim Executive Director, NFL Players Association (outkick.com)

“The NFL will "look at all the facts" to determine whether an investigation is warranted.”

— Roger Goodell, Commissioner, National Football League (outkick.com)

What’s next

The NFL will need to address the various controversies and issues that have arisen during Super Bowl LX week, including the Gruden lawsuit, the Bad Bunny halftime show, the lack of diversity in head coaching hires, and the Tisch-Epstein scandal. How the league handles these matters in the lead-up to and during the Super Bowl itself will be closely watched.

The takeaway

The tumultuous build-up to Super Bowl LX raises serious concerns about the NFL's ability to execute a smooth and successful event that lives up to the hype of the league's biggest game. The controversies that have plagued this Super Bowl week could dampen enthusiasm and viewership for the actual game, underscoring the need for the NFL to get its house in order before the big day.