Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft confirms Macklemore’s claim that the billionaire urged Ed Sheeran’s team to oust the rapper from the tour.
Macklemore claimed that Patriots owner Robert Kraft pushed for the rapper’s removal from the remainder of Ed Sheeran’s North American tour, and now the billionaire—who also owns Gillette Stadium—has released a statement confirming that claim. Macklemore was ousted as Sheeran’s opening act following a controversial pro-Palestine speech he gave during his set on September 4 and 5 at MetLife Stadium.
“Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech. Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25 and 26 concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line,” Kraft said.
“This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Their pain and loss are real. But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally […] designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
“I agree with Macklemore. Too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate,” he continued.
“Over many decades, I have directed resources to Palestine and created athletic and entrepreneurial opportunities for Palestinians who I admire and respect. Standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive.”
“Much of my time and attention for the last decade has been focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed. I have tremendous respect for Ed and his music, particularly his unique ability to bring people together and spread joy, and I have always been proud to welcome him and his fans to Gillette Stadium,” Kraft concluded.
“I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore and discuss the facts, because ultimately our goal is the same—peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate.”
The North American leg of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour still has upcoming stops in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Arlington, and Tampa. This week, the tour’s promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed that it had been notified by venues that they “will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup,” which would result in the cancellation of the remaining shows altogether had Macklemore not been removed as the opener.
