Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran tour after stadium owners boycott led by Patriots owner Robert Kraft

Rapper Macklemore announced that he will no longer appear on Ed Sheeran's North American tour after he alleges New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft organized a boycott among stadium owners. Macklemore said Kraft called Sheeran to inform him that venues owned by Kraft Entertainment and Sports Group would not host the shows if he remained on the lineup.

Kraft issued a statement saying the decision was based on Macklemore's comments at a New Jersey concert and a “broader history of rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.” He added that the move was not intended to suppress Palestinian advocacy and blamed Hamas for the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis.

"Much of my time and attention for the last decade has been focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed," Kraft said.

Kraft also expressed willingness to discuss the issue with Macklemore, stating that both parties share the goal of peace and ending hate.

Macklemore described Sheeran as a friend placed in a difficult position and recounted a conversation in which Sheeran said the phrase “Free Palestine” and Palestinian flags were hurtful to some audience members. Macklemore countered that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza outweighed those concerns.

The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed that multiple venues have declined to allow Macklemore to perform, resulting in the cancellation of his scheduled appearances and affecting hundreds of thousands of ticket holders.

Other artists, including Pink, have publicly criticized Macklemore's stadium performance, which featured pro-Palestinian messages and images of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Representatives for Pink and Sheeran did not immediately respond to requests for comment.