Robert Kraft, once the NFL’s good guy, is just another billionaire silencing Macklemore | Howard Bryant

Published 2w ago · Updated 1w ago

Covered in 3 countries

AI summary52s readNegative

The banning of Macklemore from a stadium tour over pro-Palestine remarks has triggered a cascading boycott and global industry fallout.

The controversy surrounding Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's tour has escalated into a broader cultural and sports dispute, involving New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and widespread international backlash. Macklemore pledged his one million dollar tour salary to Palestinian aid following the ban, prompting radio stations to pull Ed Sheeran's music and ticket resellers to face severe disruptions. As mounting pressure and solidarity withdrawals throw the tour into chaos, critics and fellow musicians continue to question the boundaries of free expression and corporate control.

Macklemore pledged his entire tour salary to Palestinian aid after being dropped from the concert lineup.
Robert Kraft held a forty-minute phone call with Ed Sheeran that preceded the rapper's removal from the tour.
Multiple support acts and contributors withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Irish radio stations and international broadcasters removed Ed Sheeran's music from their airwaves following the controversy.

By the numbers

1Mdollars pledged to Palestine aid

Timeline

Sep 16Macklemore pledged his tour salary to Palestine aid after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Sep 17Radio stations began pulling Ed Sheeran's music as fallout intensified and ticket sales stalled.

Why it matters

The intersection of music, sports ownership, and geopolitical expression highlights the intense scrutiny artists and sports figures face when taking public stances on foreign conflicts.

What outlets agree on

Outlets agree that Macklemore was removed as Ed Sheeran's support act following comments regarding Palestine, leading to widespread tour disruption and industry-wide debate.

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In this story

MacklemoreEd SheeranRobert KraftNew England PatriotsColin Kaepernick

Covered by 8 outlets

50% of the sources are Left

50%50%

Lean ratings via AllSides, Media Bias/Fact Check, Ad Fontes Media

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