Toronto Raptors Keep Drake; Pay $25,000 Fine
Toronto Raptors team ambassador and rapper, Drake, will remain with the team after the Raptors paid the fine slapped by the NBA worth $25,000 for his violation of the league's anti-tampering rules.
Sports World News noted in a report that the NBA earlier offered the team a way out of the fine which is to strip Drake out of the title but the Raptors stood by the rapper and just paid the penalty.
In a report by Globe and Mail, it was also noted that the Raptors indeed refused the fine to keep Drake, who according to the report, is very important for the team franchise.
The online article added that Drake has been an active ambassador for the team and that his actions were only meant to give the team a chance at getting the next big free agent in the NBA, MVP Kevin Durant.
Sports World News recounted that Drake earlier addressed Durant in one of his concerts which the Oklahoma star was also attending.
"You know, my brother [Oklahoma City Thunder star] Kevin Durant was kind enough to come to the show tonight and watch us. I just want him to see what would happen if he came to play in Toronto. Let him know what would happen," Drake was quoted by Sports World News as saying.
Durant is set to become a free agent next year and the Raptors is believed to be eyeing him for the team.
The Sports World News report added that the crowd was ecstatic with what Drake said that even Durant seemed to enjoy the rapper's sentiment. But the NBA, however, freaked out and hammered on the team, the Globe and Mail article said.
But in line with this, the NBA denied that it asked the Raptors to drop Drake in exchange for the dropping of the tampering fine, the National Post reported.
"As the Raptors' global ambassador, Drake must follow our anti-tampering rules. At no point did we suggest his title be removed but we were clear that as long as he acted as a representative of the team, he is subject to the league's rules," Tim Frank, the league's senior vice-president of basketball communications, was quoted by National Post as saying.
Drake is reportedly grabbing attention for the team with what he said and the recent turn of events caused by his actions, National Post noted. The Raptors, according to TSN, declined to comment on the issue.
Drake was formally announced as the Raptors' global brand ambassador in September last year. He has since been traveling to "preach" good things about Canada's lone NBA team, TSN added.