American rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran’s ongoing US stadium tour. The decision followed objections from the operators of several major venues where the tour was set to stop, spurred by the musician’s outspoken criticism of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and his public advocacy for a free Palestine.
The controversy intensified after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft acknowledged intervening to ensure the rapper’s departure from the tour. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, Kraft coordinated directly with several other NFL team owners, including Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, and Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, all of whom opposed Macklemore’s continued participation.
As Sheeran proceeds with performances at these same venues, the incident has highlighted the significant influence wielded by NFL team owners over the stadiums they utilize, as well as their personal and institutional ties to Israel. The list of venues affected by the move includes Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, AT&T Stadium in Texas, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Robert Kraft, whose organization operates Gillette Stadium, holds a long history of financial support for Israel. In 2016, Kraft donated $6 million for the construction of the Kraft Family Sports Campus in Jerusalem, a project he classifies under his ongoing Israel-related philanthropy. The Kraft Group has also provided millions of dollars to support American Football Israel. Additionally, in 2006, Kraft donated $1 million to the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey to fund an Israel Emergency Campaign.
The fallout from the tour decision has triggered a broader debate regarding corporate influence in the arts. Following his removal, Macklemore accused the owners of attempting to silence his pro-Palestinian voice. He responded by pledging $1 million of his tour earnings to organizations supporting Palestinians and publicly challenged Kraft to match the donation. Kraft subsequently shifted the narrative to one of antisemitism, though he later pledged $2 million toward regional aid, with specific destinations for the funds remaining undisclosed.
Other stadium figures involved in the tour have also demonstrated clear connections to Israel. Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, operates Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is owned by a state agency but heavily controlled by his organization. In October 2023, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation granted $750,000 to three Israeli medical and rescue organizations, including the Barzilai Medical Center and United Hatzalah. The foundation had previously contributed at least $75,000 to the Jewish Agency for Israel’s North American Council.
The intensity of support for Israel within these circles is documented in personal family accounts. One of Blank’s sons, writing in a Jewish National Fund essay, characterized his father’s dedication to the state as unwavering, noting that Zionism has long been a core value within their family.
In North Carolina, David Tepper’s organization, Tepper Sports & Entertainment, manages Bank of America Stadium. Tepper has a documented history of financial involvement with Israeli causes, including a $1 million contribution to the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey’s 2006 emergency campaign. In October 2023, the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation similarly directed millions in aid toward Israel.
The venue for the first performance following Macklemore’s removal is Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, home to Jeffrey Lurie’s Eagles. While public records do not reflect direct, large-scale grants from Lurie to Israeli institutions comparable to those of his peers, his alignment with Kraft, Blank, and Tepper in opposing the rapper confirms his involvement in the decision-making process.
The structure of these stadium operations varies, with some, such as Indianapolis’s Lucas Oil Stadium, functioning as public facilities operated by local government entities rather than being under sole private ownership. In such cases, teams like the Indianapolis Colts serve as primary tenants. The internal dynamics of these organizations remain a point of interest as the tour continues.
The scrutiny surrounding Robert Kraft has been further complicated by his previous legal history. In 2019, while facing charges for soliciting prostitution, Kraft retained a lawyer who had previously represented Jeffrey Epstein. Although the charges against Kraft were later dropped, the association resurfaced in media coverage earlier this year regarding the Epstein files.
As the tour enters its next phase, the episode remains a flashpoint for tensions between celebrity advocacy and the political interests of the private interests managing American public spaces. The report also notes that though it’s unclear where the money would go, he then said he would commit $2 million to “aid in the region”. The report also notes that the city approved an agreement in April 2026 extending the Cowboys’ lease through 2055. The report also notes that the facility was developed as a multi-purpose sports complex and named after Kraft and his family. The report also notes that his daughters Carlie Irsay Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson assumed ownership responsibilities, following the death of longtime owner Jim Irsay. The report also notes that while the Dallas Cowboys hold a lease to operate there, the City of Arlington owns the stadium.
