Jay-Z's company Roc Nation choreographs the Super Bowl halftime show, and with its owner now facing rape allegations NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has broken his silence on the matter.
Before we get into the NFL's stance on the matter, let's quickly qualify how these claims have came about.
Roger Goodell has broken his silence on the rape allegations facing Jay-Z (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Roger Goodell has broken his silence on the rape allegations facing Jay-Z (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
So, it all started when Diddy, real name Sean Combs, was was indicted by a grand jury following his arrest at the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan back in September - and remains locked up in a cell in New York, awaiting a trial due to take place on May 5.
He has since been charged with racketeering and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion - charges he's continued to deny.
The rap mogul's incarceration has led to a number of women claiming that they were sexually assaulted at one of his 'freak offs' - including a woman named Jane Doe, who claims she was raped by Combs and Jay-Z, birth name Shawn Carter, back in the year 2000 when she was just 13 years old.
The complaint, which was first filed in October without referencing Carter by name, has since been amended to do so and has been obtained by PEOPLE and with the complaint alleged the that both the 55-year-old rappers raped the girl while an unnamed female celebrity watched on during an afterparty party to the MTV VMAs.
Carter has spoke publicly denying the claims.
Jay-Z and Diddy pictured together back in the year 2000 (Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Jay-Z and Diddy pictured together back in the year 2000 (Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Now, Goodell has spoken out for the first time on whether the NFL will cut ties with the rapper.
He said during a press conference: "We're aware of the civil allegations and Jay-Z's really strong response to that and we know obviously litigation's happening now but from our standpoint our relationship's not changing with them including our preparation for the next Super Bowl.
"I think they're getting incredibly comfortable with not just the Super Bowl but other events that they've advised us on and helped us with.
"They've been helpful in the social justice area for us, on many occasions they've been great partners that have provided a lot of value to us."
Jay-Z has strongly denied the rape allegations he is currently facing (Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Jay-Z has strongly denied the rape allegations he is currently facing (Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
So what has Carter said about the alleagations?
He published a lengthy statement on Twitter through Roc Nation.
An extract from it read: "These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!!"
The rapper went on to explain how damaging these claims are to his status as well as to his family, with one of his daughters old enough that her friends will read the news and see the allegations against him.
Buzbee himself has also responded on Twitter, explaining that his client didn't ask for money.
His statement concludes: "As far as the allegations in the complaint filed, we will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media."
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online viaonline.rainn.org
More to follow.