Jay, NFL deal ‘the way forward’
JAY-Z’s deal with the NFL “isn’t about selling out,” according to the hip-hop mogul, but instead to harness the league’s powerful platform to tackle issues like racial injustice head-on.
Jay was hit with criticism over his new partnership with the league he had blasted for its treatment of Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t had a job since taking a knee during the national anthem.
Jay said he talked to Kaepernick — who won a multimillion-dollar settlement from the NFL in February — before announcing the deal, but would not divulge what was said. Meanwhile,
Eric Reid — who protested with Kaepernick and also won an NFL settlement, but has a spot with the Carolina Panthers — tweeted of Jay’s Roc Nation-NFL deal, “The NFL gets 2 hide behind his black face 2 try to cover up blackballing Colin.”
Jay said on Wednesday, “I think we are past kneeling. I think it is time to go into action ... Kneeling, I know we are stuck on it because it’s a real thing, it is a form of protest. I support protests across the board ... [But] everybody knows what the issue is now, OK, so what are we going to do about it? The kneeling wasn’t about [Colin] not having a job, it was about social injustice. So now how do we deal with injustice? What is the way forward?” Defending the deal, he added, “For me, [this is] action ... What are we going to do together? . . . Or will we get stuck on Colin not having a job?”
An insider said the NFL has agreed to proposals such as including tracks from Roc Nation artists across broadcasts, with profits to the league’s Inspire Change program. They are working together on job creation and community initiatives in cities the sport is played. The NFL will provide content for streaming services like player podcasts and issue-based docs. Jay also hopes to address the lack of black quarterbacks, plus diversity in team ownership and executive leadership.
Jay-Z may take part ownership of an NFL team, added the source, but way in the future, as he’d have to sell Roc Nation Sports to avoid a conflict. As for Kaepernick, the source added, “He is not blackballed [from this conversation]. He started this. If Colin has a plan of action for change, he is very welcome at the table.”