NFL Says JAY-Z Rape Allegations Won’t Impact Roc Nation Partnership

The NFL reassures that JAY-Z‘s rape allegations will not impact their business partnership. Roger Goodell issued a statement on Wednesday (Dec. 11) at the league’s winter meetings addressing the allegations accusing Shawn Carter of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000. Goodell called Carter’s response “really strong” and insisted that the accusations would not shake Roc Nation and the NFL’s relationship.

“We’re aware of the civil allegations and JAY-Z’s really strong response to that,” the NFL Commissioner said per the Associated Press. “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.”

“I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable with not just with the Super Bowl but other events they’ve advised us on and helped us with,” Goodell added. “They’ve been a big help in the social justice area to us on many occasions. They’ve been great partners.”

NBC News previously reported that Hov, along with Diddy, were both named in a lawsuit accusing the moguls of raping an underaged Jane Doe. Tony Buzbee initially filed the suit as a part of the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act in the Southern District of New York in October.

Sean Combs was named in that lawsuit, while Carter’s name was omitted. However, the suit was refiled on Sunday (Dec. 8) to include Carter, claiming that the mogul raped the girl while Diddy and an unnamed celebrity woman watched.

JAY-Z immediately called bull on the lawsuit, vowed to prove his innocence legally and that “not all celebrities are the same.” Carter would release a statement through Roc Nation the same day, stating that he “looks forward to showing you how different I am.”