Story perspectives

MetLife and other stadiums ban Macklemore, raising First Amendment fight

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 10:19 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Legal scholars warn

Legal scholars argue that publicly owned stadiums banning Macklemore may breach the First Amendment.
Attorney Barry Covert cites the 1997 Marilyn Manson venue-ban case as precedent.
Aaron Terr notes private owners can block performers only when acting under government direction.
Several Loop Tour sites, including MetLife Stadium, are classified as state-owned facilities.
Experts warn the dispute could become a nationwide test of concert free-speech rights.

Summary

Macklemore Tour Cancellation

Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour removed Macklemore after “Free Palestine” chants at MetLife Stadium.
Venue owner Robert Kraft said venues would not host concerts featuring Macklemore.
Messina Touring Group canceled Macklemore’s remaining eight U.S. dates after venue refusals.
Macklemore pledged his $1 million earnings to six Palestinian groups.
Kraft announced a $2 million donation to humanitarian aid, referencing Sheeran’s request to match.

History

Historical Context

The Supreme Court’s 1941 Cox v. New Hampshire ruling let municipalities require permits for parades, permitting only reasonable time, place and manner restrictions and protecting speech content from discrimination. That framework underpins today’s clash at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where officials barred rapper Macklemore for his “Free Palestine” chants, reviving the permit-based free-speech debate first applied to 68 Jehovah’s Witnesses.

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Legal scholars warn

Legal scholars argue that publicly owned stadiums banning Macklemore may breach the First Amendment.
Attorney Barry Covert cites the 1997 Marilyn Manson venue-ban case as precedent.
Aaron Terr notes private owners can block performers only when acting under government direction.
Several Loop Tour sites, including MetLife Stadium, are classified as state-owned facilities.
Experts warn the dispute could become a nationwide test of concert free-speech rights.

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