"They know if they drop him, they pull Beyonce away" — Internet reacts to NFL commissioner saying relationship with Jay Z remains unchanged

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Wednesday, December 11, that the organization’s partnership with Jay Z remains unchanged after the latter faced s*xual assault allegations recently. The statement was made at a press conference as the rapper’s Roc Nation company produced the Super Bowl halftime shows.

At the end of the NFL’s winter meetings that were held in Texas, Goodell said that they are aware of the civil lawsuit against Jay Z and his response to the same.

"From our standpoint, our relationship is not changing with them, including our preparations for the next Super Bowl," he added.

For those uninitiated, Jay Z’s wife, Beyoncé, is scheduled to perform at the halftime of the upcoming Texans vs. Ravens game that is taking place on Christmas Day in Houston.

Goodell also said:

“I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable with not just the Super Bowl but other events that they have advised us on and helped us with. They’ve been helpful in the social justice area to us on many occasions. They’ve been great partners that have provided a lot of value to us.”

Netizens have since taken to The Shade Room's post about the same to react to the same, with one internet user commenting:

Netizen reacts to the NFL commissioner’s latest statement (Image via Instagram/@theshaderoom)

Several internet users opined that Jay Z must not be punished until he is proven guilty in court. Some comments online read:

Netizens react to the NFL commissioner’s latest statement (Image via Instagram/@theshaderoom)

For those uninitiated, the NFL and Roc Nation entered a partnership back in 2019 where the latter was responsible as the league’s “live music entertainment strategist.” Roc Nation has since produced multiple halftime shows, including the upcoming Kendrick Lamar performance that will be held in New Orleans in February.

Meanwhile, other reactions read:

Netizens react to the NFL commissioner’s latest statement (Image via Instagram/@theshaderoom)

The NFL extended their contract with Roc Nation this October, much before the civil lawsuit was launched against Jay Z. Meanwhile, other reactions read:

Netizens react to the NFL commissioner’s latest statement (Image via Instagram/@theshaderoom)

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More about the lawsuit against Jay Z as NFL’s statement regarding the same sparks conversation online

Jay Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, was accused of r*ping a 13-year-old girl with Sean “Diddy” Combs during an MTV Music Awards afterparty in 2000. The lawsuit originally listed Diddy alone as the defendant. However, it has since been refiled to include Carter as well as per Variety.

Carter has since denied the allegations, also releasing a statement on Roc Nation's social media, where he said on December 9:

“I’m a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable.”

Carter has since filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. According to Variety, his lawyer has also demanded an expedited hearing given the high-profile nature of the civil lawsuit and Buzbee’s attempts to “harm Mr. Carter’s reputation.”

Meanwhile, Combs remains behind bars as he faces s*x trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges. His trial is scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025.