Robert Kraft says Ed Sheeran has asked him to commit $2 million to humanitarian aid following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the singer’s US tour.
Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, made the disclosure on Wednesday, September 17, after Macklemore announced plans to donate $1 million from his tour earnings to Palestinian organisations.
According to Kraft, Sheeran contacted him before Macklemore publicly challenged him to match the rapper’s planned donation.
“Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, 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 did not confirm whether he had accepted the request or whether the $2 million had already been donated. He also did not specify which organisations would receive the funds.
Sheeran has not publicly commented on the reported $2 million donation or announced details of any related philanthropic plans.
Macklemore announced on Wednesday that he would donate his $1 million in net earnings from Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six Palestinian organisations, saying the move was intended to refocus attention on Palestinians.
The donation announcement came days after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s remaining US tour dates following comments he made about Israel and Palestine during a September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Kraft, who is Jewish, previously said Macklemore would not perform at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, citing what he described as hate speech and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric. Macklemore has denied accusations of antisemitism.
The rapper had been scheduled to perform at eight of the remaining dates on Sheeran’s US stadium tour. His removal prompted several supporting acts, including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, as well as members of Sheeran’s touring band Beoga, to withdraw from the tour.
Sheeran has said Macklemore’s removal was a decision made by the tour’s promoters rather than by him. He also said he respects Macklemore’s decision to speak publicly about the conflict while maintaining that his concerts should remain focused on music.
In his latest statement, Kraft said he has supported initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for Palestinians and bringing Palestinians and Israelis together.
“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” Kraft said. “I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.”
Kraft added that Sheeran plans to contact other venue owners as part of efforts to support humanitarian work.
“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges,” he said.
The development follows Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s US tour after he spoke about Israel and Palestine during a September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium, with several other artists later withdrawing from the tour in solidarity.
Ademide Adebayo
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