Roc Nation Pens Open Letter on Casino Plans for NYC’s Times Square

11 May, 2023

Roc Nation has penned an open letter about their plan to build a casino in New York City’s tourist center, Times Square. The full page letter — which was placed in the New York Post, New York Daily News and Amsterdam News — includes plans to “enhance the lives of everyday New Yorkers” as the company is currently competing with four other billionaires: New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, developer Stefan Soloviev and grocery store mogul John Catsimatidis.

“The winning group must have a track record of turning words into deeds—of putting New York City and its residents first—people of all races, religions, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and socio-economic statuses,” reads the letter. “New Yorkers in every corner of every borough – all of us. The winning organization must have a history of campaigning for fair hiring, representation, and reform. Hate, as well as groups that have a history of oppressing the most vulnerable, have no place in New York.”

In December 2022, Jay-Z partnered with SL Green and Caesar Entertainment in their bid to open NYC’s first full-scale casino in Times Square.

“The winning licensee must always put the well-being of New Yorkers at the top of their agenda and do right by its residents,” the letter continues. “This is too important of a moment in our city’s illustrious history. Times Square, the epicenter of entertainment with a palpable energy, is unmatched. Roc Nation and our partners are here to ensure Times Square remains connected to all facets of culture. There’s no better location for a Caesars Palace entertainment destination than the Crossroads of the World.”

Roc Nation lays out the plan to bolster the lives of New Yorkers, which includes “giving back to all surrounding businesses, investing money into sanitation and security from the bowtie all the way west into Hell’s Kitchen, developing and delivering a much-needed transportation plan, and protecting the interests of the actors, producers, theatre staff, writers and patrons that represent the true heart and soul of Broadway.”

Read the full letter here:

Carl Lamarre

Billboard