Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, stated that Ed Sheeran contacted him requesting a $2 million contribution to humanitarian aid efforts in the Middle East. The request occurred after rapper Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s U.S. tour following backlash over his pro-Palestinian remarks.
In a statement released Thursday, Kraft revealed that Sheeran called him prior to Macklemore publicly challenging the billionaire to match a $1 million donation the musician had pledged to Palestinian relief organizations. “Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis,” Kraft said.
Kraft noted that Sheeran also plans to reach out to other venue owners to encourage further financial support for the cause.
The development stems from a dispute involving Macklemore’s participation in the North American leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour. After making pro-Palestinian comments during a concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month, Macklemore was dropped from the remaining U.S. dates.
Macklemore had alleged on Instagram that Sheeran informed him Kraft would not permit him to perform at Gillette Stadium, which is owned by the Kraft Group. He claimed Sheeran told him that Kraft had rallied other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum: Macklemore must leave the tour, or Sheeran himself would be barred from performing at their venues.
Addressing the controversy, Macklemore wrote that while antisemitism is real, criticism of Israel and support for “Free Palestine” should not be equated with hatred toward Jewish people.
Following Macklemore’s removal, all four of Sheeran’s other supporting acts—Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga, and Lukas Graham—announced they were withdrawing from the tour. Finneas posted on Instagram, “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”
Sheeran’s Loop Tour began in New Zealand and Australia in January, with its North American segment starting in June and scheduled to conclude on November 7.
Macklemore got canceled for speaking out? This whole tour feels messy now.
$2 million is a lot, but humanitarian crises need serious funding. Hope it helps.
Finneas quitting is huge. Artists need to stand together, not just for clout.
Did Sheeran actually call Kraft directly? That’s a bold move for a supporting act.