NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the partnership with Jay-Z in light of the inflammatory lawsuit accusing the music mogul of sexually assaulting minors.
Goodell said he is going to let the legal process play out and that the accusations alone will not impact his years-long relationship with the Roc Nation founder. Jay-Z currently heads the NFL’s signature event, the Super Bowl Halftime Show, which routinely attracts more than 100 million TV viewers from around the globe.
“We’re aware of the civil allegations and Jay-Z’s really strong response to that,” Goodell said after the conclusion of the league’s winter meetings in Irving, Texas, according to ESPN and Forbes magazine.
Goodell: ‘Our relationship is not changing’
“We know the litigation is happening now. From our standpoint, our relationship is not changing with them, including our preparations for the next Super Bowl.”
Goodell also heaped effusive praise on how Roc Nation’s partnership with the NFL has amplified the league’s social justice initiatives.
“I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable with not just with the Super Bowl but other events they’ve advised us on and helped us with,” Goodell said. “They’ve been a big help in the social justice area to us on many occasions. They’ve been great partners.”
In related news, it appears that Jay-Z’s personal selection of Kendrick Lamar as the performer for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show will not be impacted.
