New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who also owns Gillette Stadium, confirmed Monday, September 14, that he had rapper Macklemore removed as an opening act for singer Ed Sheeran's upcoming shows at the venue, citing the stadium's "longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests" and its policy against hosting events that provide "a platform for hate speech."

What Kraft Said

In a statement shared with ESPN and other outlets, Kraft said: "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 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line."

What Macklemore Did at the New Jersey Shows

During Sheeran shows at MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5, Macklemore shared pro-Palestinian views about the war in Gaza from the stage. He advocated for Palestinian freedom and performed his protest song "Hind's Hall," which describes Israel's actions in the region as "genocide" — a characterization Israel has firmly rejected. The conflict traces back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing roughly 1,200 people and abducting 251 others, prompting a retaliatory Israeli offensive that has since killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Macklemore's Own Clarification

Speaking earlier in New Jersey, Macklemore had sought to draw a distinction between his criticism of Israeli government policy and antisemitism: "To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you. This message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality."

Kraft's Broader Justification

Kraft, who founded the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism in 2019 — later renamed the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate — said his decision was rooted in that longstanding advocacy work: "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." Notably, WGBH reported Kraft's statement also appeared to allude to Macklemore's 2014 performance in a costume widely regarded at the time as antisemitic — suggesting the current decision draws on a broader, years-long pattern rather than solely the recent MetLife Stadium remarks.

Kraft's Explicit Distinction: Not About Silencing Pro-Palestinian Views

Kraft was careful to frame his decision as separate from the underlying Israeli-Palestinian debate itself: "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," he said, adding that such advocacy "should not come at the expense of the Jewish community."

An Offer to Talk

Kraft also extended an olive branch of sorts in his statement: "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." He additionally praised Sheeran directly, saying: "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."

Macklemore's Allegation of a Wider Effort

Macklemore, 43, said on social media Monday that Sheeran told him Kraft was behind his removal from Gillette Stadium — and further claimed that Kraft had lobbied other stadium owners to make similar decisions, resulting in Macklemore being dropped from additional stops on the tour. Notably, Kraft's public statement did not directly address that broader allegation about influencing other venues.

Which Other Stadiums Are Involved

According to Front Office Sports, eight of the remaining ten stops on Sheeran's tour are scheduled at NFL stadiums, including Lincoln Financial Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, Bank of America Stadium, AT&T Stadium, Raymond James Stadium, and Gillette itself. A representative for Mercedes-Benz Stadium confirmed to Front Office Sports only that "there is a change to the line up for the Atlanta show," without elaborating further, while representatives for the other venues did not respond to requests for comment — leaving the full scope of Macklemore's broader tour removal unconfirmed beyond Gillette Stadium specifically.

What's Next

With Kraft's statement now public and Macklemore having leveled his own allegations about a coordinated effort across multiple stadiums, attention turns to whether other tour venues confirm similar lineup changes, and whether Macklemore and Kraft take up the invitation to meet directly. For continuing coverage, see the full ESPN report.