<p>Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy defended New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft over a decision to remove rapper Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s tour following Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments.</p>
<p>“I back Robert Kraft banning Macklemore from performing at Gillette 1000% and thank him for having a spine when many others in his shoes don’t,” Portnoy stated on X on September 16, 2026.</p>
<p>The Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where Macklemore and Sheeran were scheduled to perform later this month.</p>
<p>The controversy arose after a promoter decided to remove Macklemore from Sheeran’s tour. Macklemore was dropped from the remaining U.S. dates after stating “free Palestine” onstage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I back Robert Kraft banning Macklemore from performing at Gillette 1000% and thank him for having a spine when many others in his shoes don’t. <a href="https://t.co/IbXftczfef" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/IbXftczfef</a></p>— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) <a href="https://x.com/stoolpresidente/status/2100333469133848764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">September 16, 2026</a></blockquote> </div></figure>
<p>All remaining opening acts, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Beoga, and the touring band, have withdrawn from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.</p>
<p>During a speech on September 4, Macklemore expressed his desire for people in Gaza and the “occupied West Bank” to know they had not been forgotten. His remarks led to backlash and a petition from the Israeli American Council calling for his removal from the tour.</p>
<p>“I didn’t pay to hear Macklemore give me a political speech, I paid to hear Ed Sheeran sing,” Portnoy said in a video posted on social media.</p>
<p>Macklemore later posted a statement on Instagram regarding his removal from the tour, stating, “Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”</p>
<p>Sheeran responded to the backlash, clarifying that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision and not his own. He stated, “I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge. One of those people was Robert Kraft.”</p>
<p>Sheeran emphasized the “suffering and pain caused on both sides” but maintained he is not implicated in the decision.</p>
<p>Portnoy highlighted Macklemore’s past controversies, including backlash from a 2014 performance where he wore a costume that some pro-Israel groups claimed resembled anti-Jewish caricatures. Macklemore stated that the resemblance was coincidental.</p>
<p>Portnoy also noted Macklemore’s association with Hasan Piker, a left-wing streamer known for controversial comments. Portnoy referenced a past post by Macklemore that was criticized for its content.</p>
<p>Portnoy remarked on Kraft’s efforts to combat antisemitism and hate, including initiatives at Gillette Stadium. He stated, “You’re going to come into Bob Kraft’s house, and spit in his face? No way, that’s not censorship.”</p>
<p>After being removed from the tour, Macklemore pledged to donate $1 million of his earnings from Sheeran’s tour to organizations supporting Palestinians.</p>
<p>Gillette Stadium issued a statement in response to Macklemore’s post, indicating that Kraft had committed to matching Macklemore’s donation to aid in the region.</p>
<p>Kraft stated, “For decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.”</p>