Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham is a sports fanatic who loves championing champions. His latest effort to involve himself in the athletic arena comes in the form of rebranding his beloved Toronto Raptors for the 2015-2016 NBA season.
The Young Money recording superstar, who is also a Toronto native, serves as the global ambassador for the Raptors. Earlier this week, he hosted “Drake Night†at the Air Canada Centre when the Raptors took on the Brooklyn Nets. 19,000-plus fans were graced with custom-made t-shirts from October’s Very Own, which is Drake’s own label-slash-boutique house.
A big screen projector announcing “Drake Night†blasted all around the Air Canada arena, all in an attempt by Drake to help the team rebrand itself to the greater public and amongst NBA fans in the U.S. The 28-year-old Grammy Award winning performer has been busy working with the Toronto Raptors on rebranding the team’s image before the Raptors host all-star weekend during the 2015-16 season.
“I think people are going to be floored with what we have in store for next season … It’s gone really well. We have some exciting things in the works. It’s going to be a full rebrand,†Drake said. The So Far Gone singer-rapper lauded outgoing sports and entertainment president/CEO Tim Leiweke of Maple Leaf Sports, but admitted that he would be sticking around long-term. “I’ve been in this city for 28 years, so, all respect to Tim, but with or without Tim, my focus has always been about Toronto and about the Raptors. It hasn’t been about who is here … My goal is to stay with the Raptors as long as they’ll have me,†Drake said, before adding, “I’m not looking to really monetize or capitalize on my involvement, I’m just really here strictly for the support.â€
Drake, who sits courtside when in town for home games right next to coach Dwane Casey, aims to continue to encourage the passionate fan base, but has yet to reveal any concrete plans or designs for the Raptors’ rebranding.
SOURCE: Raptors HQ | Sports Business Daily