New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly gave Ed Sheeran an ultimatum: remove Macklemore from the tour lineup, or Sheeran's concerts at Gillette Stadium would be canceled. This decision came after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian comments and performed his song "Hind's Hall" during shows at MetLife Stadium earlier in September.
Kraft, who also owns Gillette Stadium, confirmed his decision to bar Macklemore from performing at the venue. He cited 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" as reasons for the ban. Kraft stated that Gillette Stadium is committed to providing a welcoming environment and that Macklemore's participation would "cross that line."
Macklemore subsequently claimed that Kraft not only blocked him from performing at Gillette but also rallied other stadium owners. He alleged that Kraft presented Sheeran with an ultimatum: if Macklemore remained on the tour, Sheeran would not be allowed to play in those venues. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed that multiple venues indicated they would not allow a concert with Macklemore on the lineup, which would lead to the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans.
Kraft, who is Jewish and founded the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, clarified that his decision was not to diminish the suffering of Palestinians but to oppose what he perceived as selective information and rhetoric that could be offensive to the Jewish community. He expressed a desire to discuss the matter with Macklemore, emphasizing their shared goal of peace and an end to suffering.
This controversy led to Macklemore being dropped from not only the Gillette Stadium shows but also the remaining dates on Sheeran's "Loop" tour.
