Barstool founder backs Patriots owner Kraft's ban on Macklemore at Gillette Stadium

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy expressed strong support for Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s decision to prohibit rapper Mackelore from appearing at Gillette Stadium. In a video posted to X, Portnoy said he backs the ban "1000%" and praised Kraft for taking a stand.

Portnoy argued that Mackelore’s recent appearances on Ed Sheeran’s U.S. "Loop Tour" featured anti-Israel chants and visual references to the Gaza conflict, which he described as a political rally rather than entertainment. He also referenced a 2014 Seattle performance in which Mackelore wore a costume that critics said invoked antisemitic caricatures, noting that the artist had previously apologized.

The controversy led several venues to refuse to host the tour if Mackelore remained on the lineup. Kraft declined to allow the rapper at Gillette Stadium, and the promoter subsequently removed him from the remaining dates. Mackelore accused Kraft of orchestrating a boycott and pledged to donate his $1 million tour earnings to Palestinian aid, challenging Kraft to match the contribution.

Kraft, in a statement released through Gillette Stadium, said he had been approached privately by Ed Sheeran, who requested support for a $2 million humanitarian donation. Kraft agreed to contribute to relief efforts and cited Mackelore’s history of antisemitic tropes and his failure to acknowledge the Oct. 7 Hamas attack as reasons for the ban.

Portnoy also criticized other musicians who withdrew from Sheeran’s tour, labeling them hypocritical for prioritizing political statements over fan commitments.

"I back Robert Kraft banning Mackelore from performing at Gillette 1000% and thank him for having a spine when many others in his shoes don't," Portnoy said.

"Mackelore, who is turning this into a political rally, you're going to come into Bob Kraft's house and spit in his face? No way!"