JAY-Z, along with his entertainment agency Roc Nation, have taken out multiple ads in various publications in an attempt to gain New York City residents’ support regarding their bid for a casino in Times Square.

Today, Roc Nation made a bold move by buying full-page ads in The New York Post, the New York Daily News, and Amsterdam News to engage with the citizens of New York. As Roc Nation and its partners are one of many big sharks interested in getting into the casino bid, it’s clear they took this route to get the backing of the community by being transparent about the reasons they believe a Times Square casino would be beneficial to “The City That Never Sleeps.”

“Caesars Palace Times Square will benefit all of New York—the hotel and restaurant workers in the area, retailers and surrounding neighborhoods,” part of the letter reads. “Our bid commits $115 million for diverse theater programs that include daycare for Broadway workers and their families.”

In late 2022, Roc Nation issued a press release announcing its new business partnership with Caesar’s Entertainment and SL Green to merge their resources for a joint vision for “The Big Apple”: a state-of-the-art casino. In part, the press release read: “The partnership brings together three best-in-class organizations — New York’s largest owner of office properties, the nation’s leading gaming company and the world’s preeminent entertainment company — to deliver a crucial plan for the world’s top tourist destination. As a partner in the project, Roc Nation will help revitalize Times Square by partnering with neighborhood organizations to re-imagine programming in the district’s famous ‘bow tie.'”

This joint effort came after Albany government officials passed a bill granting three casino licenses that can be built in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County areas in April. If they win the bid, the three companies have their eyes set on 1515 Broadway in Times Square, which is the same building, where the long-standing Broadway show The Lion King has been showing for years. However, this location has received some pushback from the Broadway Coalition due to “potential liabilities of a Times Square casino as traffic congestion, economic disruption and social harm including making the area ‘less welcoming to families.'”

The “Empire State of Mind” rapper disagrees, arguing that it’ll bring value to tourists and residents, as well as boost the economy. “New York is a beacon, the epicenter of culture. We have the opportunity to create a destination at the heart of Times Square, the crossroads of the world,” the 24-time Grammy winner said in an exclusive statement to Complex. “My partnership with SL Green and Caesars, this coalition, has all the promise and commitment to economic opportunity, growth and enrichment for the community, and everyone who visits the Empire State.”

Read JAY-Z and Roc Nation’s full letter below:

 

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