In a press release shared on Friday by the NFL and Roc Nation, the partnership announced “Inspire Change,” a social justice platform, and named Meek Mill and Rapsody as its advocates. Inspire Change’s social enterprise model will include an apparel line and musical performances.
Meek Mill, Rapsody and Meghan Trainor are the first Inspire Change advocates of the 2019 NFL Season and will hold a free performance at the NFL’s Kickoff Experience in Chicago’s Grant Park on Thursday, September 5.
The Roc Nation-NFL partnership will also include a “multi-tier, season-long initiative” called “Songs of the Season.” The program will highlight emerging musicians who create a song to be used in NFL advertisements during the football season. The songs will be available on streaming platforms, and proceeds will go towards Inspire Change. The Inspire Change apparel line will be available for purchase later this year, with all proceeds going towards organizations supporting “education and economic empowerment, police and community relations, and criminal justice reform.”
JAY-Z‘s partnership with the NFL has been contended, with the rapper being criticized for undermining Colin Kaepernick’s social justice protests. See how celebrities reacted to the deal here.
