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Jay-Z’s decision to partner with the NFL has been described as “cold-blooded”.
Mark Geragos – the lawyer of American football player Colin Kaepernick – told ABC News that the deal “crosses the intellectual picket line”.
Last week, the NFL announced that Jay-Z and his label Roc Nation had teamed up with the league for entertainment events and to promote social activism.
Kaepernick’s been in a long dispute with the NFL and doesn’t have a team.
The deal
The league will work with Roc Nation on its entertainment performances such as the Super Bowl half-time show – but also to “strengthen community through football and music” and the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative.
Inspire Change was created after discussions with players who protested the national anthem – a movement sparked by Colin Kaepernick.
Jay-Z says “this partnership is an opportunity to strengthen the fabric of communities across America.”
And NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he was looking “forward to making a difference” and driving social change.
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Jay-Z
So what’s the controversy?
There is anger because Jay-Z has teamed up with an organisation that some – such as Kaepernick’s girlfriend Nessa – feel is “actively” keeping him “unemployed”.
She wrote on Instagram: “So really, how can Jay-Z and the NFL utter social justice in their partnership while keeping Colin unemployed because of his social justice work?”
Kaepernick has been without a team since 2017, with allegations of team owners colluding to keep him unsigned – in a lawsuit that’s now been settled.
And according to Mark Geragos, both the NFL and Jay-Z did not contact Kaepernick during discussions about their deal.
“The deal was already done prior to any conversation that [Kaepernick] had with Jay-Z and he certainly didn’t have any conversations with the NFL,” the lawyer said.
But Jay-Z says “we’ve moved past kneeling and I think it’s time to go into actionable items” and that this partnership can “inspire” and “educate”.
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Colin Kaepernick first kneeled in protest three years ago with many players following him since
What does Colin Kaepernick say?
He’s not directly addressed the issue but has tweeted in support of those who continue to protest:
And in a recent interview with Paper Magazine, he spoke about why he decided to protest in the first place.
He says the police shooting death of 26-year-old Mario Woods in 2015 pushed him to protest police brutality and injustice, and led to his decision to kneel during the national anthem.
He adds that along with Nessa, they decided to set up Know Your Rights Camp, a youth-empowerment initiative.
It aims to provide a safe space for young people – primarily black youth aged 12-18 – and help them “gain legal knowledge for navigating all-too-common violent encounters with police officers.”
“This movement needs all types of people,” says Kaepernick.
“From athletes to healers to poets and artists to scholars and lawyers, we need everyone to contribute to the struggle.
“The struggle is affecting all of us. Period.”
Radio 1 Newsbeat has contacted Jay-Z and Roc Nation for comment.
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