Ed Sheeran Asked Robert Kraft to Match $2 Million Donation, Kraft Says

Robert Kraft has said Ed Sheeran asked him to commit $2 million to match the singer’s own donation before Macklemore publicly challenged the New England Patriots owner to do the same.

Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium and was instrumental in Macklemore being removed from Sheeran’s Loop tour, described the request in a statement: “Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.”

Kraft did not say whether he had agreed. He added that Sheeran planned to contact other venue owners and that the goal was to continue working together to build bridges.

The statement follows Macklemore’s announcement that he would donate his entire $1 million fee from supporting Sheeran on the Loop tour to six organisations working directly to support Palestinian people. The rapper also invited Kraft to match his donation and said Palestinian lives are worth protecting.

The fallout has shifted public attention quickly. Since Macklemore was dropped from the tour, Sheeran has lost nearly 200,000 Instagram followers, according to reports, while Macklemore has gained 1.6 million.