JAY-Z FACES NEW ALLEGATIONS FROM COLIN KAEPERNICK'S GIRLFRIEND

In a fiery series of social media posts on July 16, 2025, Nessa Diab, the longtime partner of former NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick, accused Jay-Z, Roc Nation, and its CEO Desiree Perez of orchestrating smear campaigns against both Kaepernick and rapper Nicki Minaj. Diab’s allegations, which have sparked significant online discussion, center on claims that Roc Nation collaborated with the NFL to undermine Kaepernick’s protest against racial injustice and police brutality, drawing parallels to what she describes as similar tactics used against Minaj.

Background: Kaepernick’s Protest and NFL Fallout

Colin Kaepernick became a polarizing figure in 2016 when he began kneeling during the U.S. national anthem to protest systemic racism and police brutality. His actions ignited a nationwide debate, prompting some athletes to join the protest while drawing criticism from others, including NFL leadership. The NFL faced declining TV ratings and strained sponsor relationships, with many attributing the backlash to Kaepernick’s activism. By 2017, Kaepernick was unsigned by any team, leading to accusations of blackballing by the league. He later settled a collusion grievance with the NFL in 2019, though the terms remain confidential.

The Roc Nation-NFL Partnership

In August 2019, Jay-Z’s entertainment company, Roc Nation, entered a high-profile partnership with the NFL, valued at $25 million over five years. The deal positioned Roc Nation as the league’s live music entertainment strategist, overseeing events like the Super Bowl halftime show and contributing to the NFL’s “Inspire Change” social justice initiative. The announcement came three years after Kaepernick’s initial protest, at a time when his absence from the league remained a contentious issue. Critics, including Kaepernick’s supporters, viewed the partnership as an attempt to sanitize the NFL’s image and shift focus from the kneeling protests to corporate-sponsored initiatives.

Diab’s recent posts claim that Roc Nation’s deal was designed to “bury the growing protest” and help the NFL “move beyond the controversy around teams’ unwillingness to sign Kaepernick.” She alleges that the agency accepted $5 million annually to achieve these goals, effectively co-opting Kaepernick’s movement for the league’s benefit. Diab further pointed to a quote from Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez, who reportedly said, “We love that everybody wants to be on the stage, that we’ve completely changed the conversation to fighting for it versus boycotting. We’ve come a long way.” Diab interprets this as evidence of a deliberate pivot away from the protest’s original intent.

Allegations of Smear Campaigns

Diab’s accusations extend beyond the NFL deal, claiming that Jay-Z and Roc Nation employed “smear campaign tactics” to discredit Kaepernick. She draws a parallel to Nicki Minaj’s recent public feud with Roc Nation, where Minaj accused the company and Perez of financial disputes and corporate sabotage. Diab wrote on X, “@NICKIMINAJ exposing the smear campaign tactics that Jay-Z, Roc Nation, Desiree Perez did to her behind the scenes, is VERY similar to what I was told they did to @Kaepernick7 when Jay purposely co-opted Colin’s protest by siding with the NFL to help ‘their image’ after they blackballed Colin for his protest.”

While Diab’s posts have resonated with some, others have questioned the validity of comparing Minaj’s situation to Kaepernick’s. Social media reactions are mixed, with supporters rallying behind Diab’s claims and the hashtag #StillWithKap trending, while skeptics argue that the two cases are distinct and lack direct evidence of smear campaigns. One X user commented, “Right message, but wrong messenger when it comes to Nicki,” suggesting Minaj’s reputation complicates the narrative. Another user countered, “Smear campaigns happening behind the scenes to harm people’s lives are not right. And calling out powerful people doing it takes a lot of courage.”

Desiree Perez and Political Connections

Diab also highlighted Perez’s 2021 pardon by former President Donald Trump for a 1994 drug conspiracy conviction, suggesting a connection between Roc Nation, Trump-aligned NFL owners, and broader political influences. She noted that some NFL owners donated millions to Trump’s campaign, implying that Perez’s pardon was “no coincidence.” These claims add fuel to ongoing debates about the intersection of corporate interests, entertainment, and political power.

Past Criticism of Jay-Z’s NFL Deal

Diab’s 2025 accusations echo her earlier criticisms from 2019, when she first spoke out against Jay-Z’s NFL partnership. On her Hot 97 radio show, she called the deal “disgusting and disappointing,” arguing that Jay-Z allowed the NFL to “use him” to bury Kaepernick’s activism. She emphasized that her issue was not with Jay-Z pursuing business opportunities but with framing the partnership as social justice while Kaepernick remained sidelined. At the time, Kaepernick’s attorney, Mark Geragos, also denied Jay-Z’s claim that he had spoken with Kaepernick before finalizing the deal, further fueling controversy.

Other voices, including Kaepernick’s former teammate Eric Reid and media outlets like The Atlantic and Bleacher Report, criticized Jay-Z for appearing to prioritize financial gain over the protest movement. The Atlantic noted that Jay-Z’s involvement made him “complicit in helping the NFL execute its strategy” to shift focus from Kaepernick’s cause. Despite Jay-Z’s assertion that the partnership was about “actionable items” and moving “past kneeling,” many activists felt it undermined grassroots efforts.

Jay-Z and Roc Nation’s Response

As of July 17, 2025, neither Jay-Z, Roc Nation, nor Desiree Perez have publicly responded to Diab’s latest allegations. Roc Nation’s social media activity continues to focus on artist promotions and events, sidestepping the controversy. The lack of a formal statement leaves room for speculation, with some interpreting the silence as an attempt to avoid escalating the situation.

Broader Implications

Diab’s claims highlight ongoing tensions between corporate partnerships and grassroots activism. A 2020 study in the American Sociological Review found that 60% of NFL fans initially supported Kaepernick’s protest, but public support waned as the league and media reframed the narrative. Critics argue that Roc Nation’s involvement helped shift discourse toward NFL-led initiatives like Inspire Change, diluting the focus on systemic issues. The accusations also raise questions about the role of influential figures like Jay-Z in navigating social justice and corporate interests.

While no verified reports have confirmed active smear campaigns against Kaepernick or Minaj, Diab’s outspokenness has reignited discussions about accountability in sports and entertainment. Her continued refusal to watch NFL games or performances, coupled with her #StillWithKap stance, underscores her commitment to Kaepernick’s cause.

Conclusion

Nessa Diab’s accusations against Jay-Z, Roc Nation, and Desiree Perez have brought renewed attention to Colin Kaepernick’s exclusion from the NFL and the broader dynamics of power in the entertainment and sports industries. By linking her partner’s experience to Nicki Minaj’s claims, Diab has sparked a complex debate about corporate influence, activism, and alleged smear tactics. As the story develops, the public awaits responses from Roc Nation and further clarity on these serious allegations.