Portnoy Backs Kraft’s Decision to Bar Macklemore from Gillette Stadium

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has voiced full support for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s decision to bar Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, a move that led to the rapper being removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. “Loop Tour.”

“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 said in a video posted to X.

Kraft cited Macklemore’s history of antisemitic controversies in making his decision. Portnoy pointed to a 2014 Seattle concert in which Macklemore wore a dark suit, fake beard and prosthetic nose, an outfit that drew criticism for invoking antisemitic Jewish caricatures. Macklemore later apologized for that performance.

“Macklemore, who is turning this into a political rally, you’re going to come into Bob Kraft’s house and spit in his face? No f—— way!” Portnoy said. “That’s not censorship. This ain’t freedom of speech, homie. He owns the stadium! It’s his house.”

Portnoy argued that Kraft, as the venue’s owner, had every right to decide who performs there.

“Would you have a party and invite someone over who is going to spew what you consider hatred? If I go to the Ed Sheeran concert, I don’t want to hear a ‘Free Palestine’ rant from a guy who isn’t being genuine about it all. I didn’t pay to hear Macklemore give me a political speech, I paid to hear Ed Sheeran sing.”

The controversy stems from Macklemore’s performances during Sheeran’s Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he led anti-Israel chants, projected imagery from the Gaza war, and performed his song “Hind’s Hall.” Several venues reportedly warned the tour’s promoter that they would not host shows if Macklemore stayed on the lineup. Kraft refused to allow him at Gillette Stadium, and the promoter subsequently dropped him from the remaining tour dates.

Macklemore responded by accusing Kraft of orchestrating a broader boycott against him across other venues. He pledged $1 million in tour earnings to Palestinian aid and publicly challenged Kraft to match the donation.

In a statement released through Gillette Stadium, Kraft said Sheeran had reached out to him privately before Macklemore’s public challenge, asking Kraft to support a $2 million humanitarian donation. Kraft said he agreed to support relief efforts in the region. He also referenced Macklemore’s past use of antisemitic tropes and said the rapper had failed to acknowledge the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people.

After Macklemore’s removal, several opening acts, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, withdrew from the remaining tour dates in protest. Portnoy criticized those musicians, accusing them of hypocrisy for abandoning Sheeran mid-tour.

“I feel bad for Ed Sheeran; his band quit, saying, ‘This is censorship, Free Palestine!’ That guy, Finneas, the brother of Billie Eilish, f—— hypocrites; they backed out,” Portnoy said.

Portnoy closed his video by emphasizing the depth of his support for Kraft.

“I don’t stand with Bob Kraft 5 percent, 10 percent,” Portnoy said. “I stand with Bob Kraft 110 percent. More Jews have to speak out. That’s why I am making this video, because it’s really easy for everyone just to pile on right now, but I have his back a hundred million percent.”