It looks like the NFL is finally ready to take a knee in their own way by teaming up with hip hop billionaire Jay Z for a new partnership centered around entertainment and social activism. But social activist Shaun King is not feeling the move by the “woke capitalist”.
On Tuesday the NFL and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation announced their partnership for events and social activism. Roc Nation will consult the league’s annual Super Bowl halftime show in addition to “strengthen community through music and the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative.”
It’s no surprise that former NFL star Colin Kaepernick helped spark the change that led to the NFL creating Inspire Change. A coalition of players came together after they participated in the #TakeAKnee movement started by the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who was the first professional athlete to take a knee during the national anthem in 2016.
Under the new partnership, NFL owners agreed to donate $89 million over six years toward social causes players support. Commissioner Roger Goodell sees the partnership with Roc Nation as a significant step in several directions.
“Roc Nation is one of the most globally influential and impactful organizations in entertainment,” Goodell said. “The NFL and Roc Nation share a vision of inspiring meaningful social change across our country. We are thrilled to partner with Roc Nation and look forward to making a difference in our communities together.”
Both sides know that in order for Inspire Change to succeed, the initiative must align itself with the communities that are most impacted by the issues the players want to be addressed, including criminal justice reform; relationships with police; economic growth opportunities; and educational progress.
“With its global reach, the National Football League has the platform and opportunity to inspire change across the country,” said Jay-Z. “Roc Nation has shown that entertainment and enacting change are not mutually exclusive ideas — instead, we unify them. This partnership is an opportunity to strengthen the fabric of communities across America.”
But popular social activist Shaun King took to Twitter where he called out Jay Z for allegedly not consulting with Kaepernick ahead of the new deal.
“If you are baffled by the move that Jay Z just made with the NFL then you don’t actually listen to his music. He’s a proud capitalist. It’s the primary theme of his career. Last year he dissed people who performed at the Super Bowl. Wore a Kaep jersey. They made him an offer.”
If you are baffled by the move that Jay Z just made with the NFL then you don’t actually listen to his music.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) August 14, 2019
He’s a proud capitalist. It’s the primary theme of his career.
Last year he dissed people who performed at the Super Bowl. Wore a Kaep jersey.
They made him an offer.
“Jay Z is what I would call a woke capitalist. Woke describes his capitalism, but let’s be clear, he’s a capitalist, and if a good deal comes along, even if it means working with the NFL at the expense of Colin Kaepernick, he’ll make the deal. That’s what he just did.”
Jay Z is what I would call a woke capitalist.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) August 14, 2019
Woke describes his capitalism, but let’s be clear, he’s a capitalist, and if a good deal comes along, even if it means working with the NFL at the expense of Colin Kaepernick, he’ll make the deal.
That’s what he just did.
He then retweeted a tweet that read,
“The NFL can’t be about “social justice” and Blackball Kaepernick. Period.”
Bottom fucking line. https://t.co/BN9Wvunvru
— Shaun King (@shaunking) August 14, 2019
He then said he wouldn’t of taken the deal if he were Jay Z.
“I don’t think Jay Z violated a single one of his core principles by making a deal with the NFL while they actively ban Colin Kaepernick from ever playing another game for the rest of his life. That’s all I’m saying. I wouldn’t do it, but I’m not Jay Z.”
I don’t think Jay Z violated a single one of his core principles by making a deal with the NFL while they actively ban Colin Kaepernick from ever playing another game for the rest of his life.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) August 14, 2019
That’s all I’m saying.
I wouldn’t do it, but I’m not Jay Z.
King also claims Jay Z never spoke to Kaepernick before making the NFL deal.
“To be very clear… Jay Z DID NOT speak to or consult with Colin Kaepernick before he made this deal with the NFL. He openly said that to the NY Times. Sometimes people avoid advice and counsel that they know good and well will conflict with their money.”
To be very clear…
— Shaun King (@shaunking) August 14, 2019
Jay Z DID NOT speak to or consult with Colin Kaepernick before he made this deal with the NFL. He openly said that to the NY Times.
Sometimes people avoid advice and counsel that they know good and well will conflict with their money.
Hmmm looks like Jay Z is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t on this one.
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