Kaepernick Accuses NFL Owners of Colluding Against Macklemore

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has accused New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and other NFL stadium owners of "openly colluding" to remove rapper Macklemore from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour following Macklemore's pro-Palestinian remarks. The allegations, made in a MeidasTouch interview published on September 17, 2026, draw a direct parallel to Kaepernick's own collusion grievance against the league after his 2016 national anthem protests. Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran's "Loop Tour" after he used performances at MetLife Stadium to say "Free Palestine," criticize Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and perform his Gaza protest song "Hinds Hall." Tour promoter Messina Touring Group subsequently dropped Macklemore, stating that multiple venues would not host concerts with him on the bill. Kraft confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at Gillette Stadium, which his company owns, but disputed the suggestion that the decision was intended to silence advocacy for Palestinians. Instead, Kraft cited what he characterized as Macklemore's history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.