Billionaire Robert Kraft said Ed Sheeran approached him seeking a $2 million donation, CNBC reported on Thursday. The request came amid a dispute connected to remarks Macklemore made about Palestine, according to the same report.
The story sits inside a wider clash between the two musicians. The Washington Post described Sheeran's tour as being in chaos, framing its coverage around Macklemore's pledge of aid to Palestinians. NBC News reported that Macklemore and Kraft were both preparing to commit millions toward Palestinian relief efforts, casting the moves as part of a showdown involving Sheeran.
CNN characterized the stadium drama as shifting toward donations and humanitarian cooperation. The Guardian, in an opinion piece, criticized Kraft, arguing that a figure once seen as the NFL's good guy was now acting as another billionaire working to silence Macklemore.
Taken together, the coverage points to a dispute that has moved from public statements into competing financial commitments. CNBC's account focuses on the specific claim that Sheeran sought money from Kraft, while other outlets frame the broader episode around aid pledges and the fallout for Sheeran's tour.
What to watch next: whether Sheeran, Kraft or Macklemore confirm the reported donation figures, and how the pledged relief money is actually distributed.