Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick told MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas that NFL owners are “openly colluding” to keep rapper Macklemore off Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour. Kaepernick said the alleged coordination mirrors his own 2016 grievance that owners conspired to keep him out of the league after he began kneeling during the national anthem.
Background on the tour dispute
Macklemore was slated to open for Sheeran at Gillette Stadium, a venue owned by Patriots owner Robert Kraft, as part of the singer’s “Loop Tour.” According to Macklemore, Sheeran informed him that Kraft objected to his appearance after the rapper used a MetLife Stadium concert to chant “Free Palestine,” criticize Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and perform his Gaza‑themed song “Hind’s Hall.”
Kraft confirmed that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium but rejected claims that the decision was meant to silence pro‑Palestinian advocacy. Instead, Kraft cited Macklemore’s past use of anti‑Semitic language and imagery as the reason for the ban.
Following Kraft’s statement, tour promoter Messina Touring Group removed Macklemore from the remaining dates, noting that multiple venues had indicated they would not host the concerts with him on the bill. Sheeran said the decision rested with the promoter and that he had tried to mediate a conversation between Macklemore and Kraft.
Kaepernick’s comparison
Kaepernick argued the episode shows how powerful owners will coordinate when they feel their interests are threatened. “If you take an action they don’t agree with, they will come for you,” he said. “They will organize against you, which means we collectively have to organize to protect our interests as well.”
He added that his own grievance filed in 2017 alleged owners colluded to prevent teams from signing him after his protests against police brutality and racial injustice. The league denied any conspiracy, and the parties reached a confidential settlement in 2019 without a ruling on the merits.
Broader context of NFL activism
Kaepernick also revisited the NFL’s handling of player‑led protests, recalling a 2017 meeting where Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula reportedly suggested the league needed a prominent Black spokesperson to defuse the controversy. Kaepernick claimed the league initially tried to work through the Players Coalition before approaching him to lead its social‑justice initiatives, a proposal he declined.
He further accused rapper Jay‑Z, whose company Roc Nation partnered with the NFL in 2019, of becoming the “Black face” the owners sought to “subvert the protests,” arguing the partnership shifted focus away from police killings, incarceration, and resources for Black communities.
Financial and charitable fallout
Macklemore pledged to donate the $1 million he said he earned from the Sheeran tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians and invited Kraft to match the contribution. Kraft later said Sheeran had privately asked him to contribute $2 million toward humanitarian relief.
Other supporting acts on the tour, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, withdrew amid the controversy.
What this means for fans and owners
The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between high‑profile entertainers, athletes and league owners when political speech intersects with commercial interests. While the NFL has not formally commented on Kaepernick’s latest allegations, the league’s past settlement with Kaepernick suggests a willingness to avoid protracted legal battles over such claims.
For fans, the episode underscores the importance of staying informed about how ownership decisions can affect the cultural and political landscape of professional sports.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
