The Super Bowl, one of America's most-watched sporting events, is revealing deep partisan lines among its audience, specifically in Florida. A recent poll conducted by the Public Opinion Research Lab and Sport Impact Jax at the University of North Florida has shown that while a majority of Florida voters are looking forward to the Super Bowl LX, a significant portion of Republican viewers intend to opt-out of the halftime show featuring rapper Bad Bunny.
Out of the 823 registered Florida voters surveyed, 68% confirmed their plans to watch the Super Bowl game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. The poll delineated viewing intentions across party lines, with 75% of Democrats, 65% of Republicans, and 63% of independents stating they will watch the game. However, the viewership numbers for the halftime show diverge sharply, with 89% of Democrats expressing eagerness to see Bad Bunny's performance, in stark contrast to just 40% of Republicans. Independents lean closer to the Democratic stance, with 77% indicating they will watch the halftime show.
The survey also highlighted demographic differences, with 93% of black voters and 81% of Hispanic voters planning to watch the performance, compared to 58% of white voters. Age and gender also played a role in the anticipated viewership, as 80% of voters under 55 and 72% of women stated they will tune in, versus 54% of voters aged 55 and older and 63% of men.
Amidst this divide, an alternative event called the All-American Halftime Show, headlined by Kid Rock and featuring Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, is being organized by Turning Point USA. This event caters to conservative viewers who prefer to skip Bad Bunny's show. Bad Bunny has become a controversial figure among conservatives, mainly due to his outspoken political views and criticism of President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
The artist's alignment with anti-ICE sentiments and his refusal to stand for "God Bless America" during a New York Yankees game have only fueled the divide. The kickoff performance by Green Day, a band known for altering lyrics to criticize MAGA supporters, has also raised concerns about potential political undertones in the broadcast.
The poll's findings underscore the Super Bowl's evolution into another battleground in the United States' broadening cultural and political schism. With a margin of error of plus or minus 4%, the survey methodology points to a significant trend that goes beyond mere entertainment preferences, hinting at deeper societal divisions.
