While I’m sure this line has continually popped up today, it can’t be said enough.
A vocal critic of the NFL (and has notably turned down performing at the big game, Jay-Z and Roc Nation have — somewhat surprisingly — entered into a partnership with the NFL on a “music and social justice campaign.” The deal “calls for the firm to be the NFL’s ‘live music entertainment strategist,’” the NY Times reports “Roc Nation and Jay-Z will consult on entertainment, including the Super Bowl halftime show, and contribute to the league’s activism campaign, Inspire Change.”
Clearly, this is a play for the NFL to try to soothe over the many criticisms levied against the league, primarily its handling of players protesting via kneeling or sitting during the national anthem, as well as exiled quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
“The N.F.L. has a great big platform, and it has to be all-inclusive,” Jay-Z said. “They were willing to do some things, to make some changes, that we can do some good.”
“We don’t want people to come in and necessarily agree with us; we want people to come in and tell us what we can do better,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell added. “I think that’s a core element of our relationship between the two organizations, and with Jay and I personally.”
The deal gives Jay a role in producing the Super Bowl Halftime Show, as well. “The deal also risks Jay-Z appearing as being co-opted and neutralized by an organization he once criticized,” the Times points out.
Hm. We shall see.
