Bad Bunny Shouts Out Puerto Rican NBA Champ During Super Bowl Halftime

The Latin music star gave a nod to J.J. Barea, who won a title before LeBron James.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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During his high-energy Super Bowl halftime show performance, Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny gave a quick shout-out to former NBA player J.J. Barea, who was the second player from Puerto Rico to win an NBA championship, accomplishing the feat in 2011 when his Dallas Mavericks defeated LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Why it matters

Bad Bunny's shout-out to Barea was seen as a playful jab at four-time NBA champion LeBron James, who was unable to defeat the smaller Barea and the Mavericks in the 2011 Finals. The moment highlighted the cultural pride and connections between Puerto Rican athletes and artists.

The details

In the middle of his halftime show set, Bad Bunny, speaking in Spanish, called Barea the one who won a championship before LeBron. The 5-foot-10 Barea often took assignments defending the much taller LeBron, who was unable to capitalize on the size differential.

  • Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl halftime show on February 9, 2026.
  • Barea won the NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.

The players

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican singer, rapper, and record producer who is one of the biggest Latin music stars in the world.

J.J. Barea

A Puerto Rican former professional basketball player who won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, becoming the second player from Puerto Rico to win an NBA title.

LeBron James

A four-time NBA champion and one of the greatest basketball players of all time, who was unable to defeat Barea and the Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals.

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What they’re saying

“Barea was the one who won a championship before LeBron.”

— Bad Bunny (Firsthand account)

The takeaway

Bad Bunny's shout-out to fellow Puerto Rican J.J. Barea during the Super Bowl halftime show was a playful jab at LeBron James, highlighting the cultural pride and connections between Puerto Rican athletes and artists. It was a lighthearted moment that celebrated Barea's historic NBA championship victory over James and the Miami Heat in 2011.