A rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation has worked with the NFL on entertainment events like the Super Bowl halftime show, will not affect the league’s relationship with him.
“We’re aware of the civil allegations and Jay-Z’s really strong response to that,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Wednesday after the league’s winter meetings. “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.”
A woman, who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs for allegedly raping her at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13 years old, updated her lawsuit on Sunday to also accuse Jay-Z of being at the party and participating in the sexual assault.
Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, called the rape allegation part of an extortion attempt. He referred to the accusations as “idiotic” and “heinous in nature” in a statement from his company, Roc Nation.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
The NFL began working with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. A few months ago, the league extended its partnership with the entertainment company.
Kendrick Lamar will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9. Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will co-produce the halftime show.
Beyoncé, Jay-Z’s wife, will perform at halftime during the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game on Christmas.
“I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable with not just 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.”