LAS COLLINS, Texas – The NFL is aware of the allegations against rapper Jay-Z, and the league, which partners with Jay-Z’s Rock Nation on music and social justice initiatives, does not plan to change its contract in response to a lawsuit 13 at an awards show after party in 2000. A year old girl was raped.
“We’re aware of the citizen complaints and Jay-Z’s really strong response,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday afternoon at the league’s annual winter meeting. “We know, obviously, that litigation is happening now. But from our perspective, our relationship with our preparation for the next Super Bowl is not changing.”
The civil suit against Sean “Diddy” Combs was originally filed in October before attorney Tony Buzbee added Jay-Z as a defendant on Sunday.
Jay-Z released a statement that day blasting Buzbee as a “sad man” who wants to “exploit people for personal gain” to make a settlement.
“No sir, it had the opposite effect!” Written by Jay-Z. “It makes me want to expose you for your deception that you are in a very public fashion. So no, I won’t give you a red penny!!
“These allegations are so heinous that I urge you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whoever commits such a crime against a minor should be locked up, wouldn’t you agree?
Jay-Z added that Buzbee “seems to have a pattern of these kinds of theatrics.” Buzbee represented more than 20 women who sued Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for sexual misconduct.
Producing the halftime show is the most high-profile responsibility Jay-Z and the NFL have partnered on. The league hired Roc Nation as its live music entertainment strategist in 2019, helping Roc Nation select performers for key acts including the Super Bowl halftime show.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar will perform at this season’s Super Bowl in New Orleans. Beyoncé, who is married to Jay-Z, will perform at the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game on Christmas Day.
Roc Nation also works with the NFL on its Inspire Change social justice initiative.
Goodell praised both elements of the partnership.
“The way the relationship is evolving, I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable with not just the Super Bowl but other events that they’ve advised us, helped us with,” Goodell said. “They have been instrumental in our social justice cause.
“They’ve been great partners.”
