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The NBA Deny They Asked The Toronto Raptors To Fire Drake Over Kevin Durant Comments

This must have got lost in translation. The NBA has denied reports that they asked the Toronto Raptors to remove Drake as its global ambassador following a $25k fine it incurred due to Drake’s “public recruiting” of Kevin Durant.

The NBA’s senior vice president of basketball communications released a statement to The Canadian Press on Wednesday (August 13th) informing them that “as the Raptors’ global ambassador, Drake must follow our anti-tampering rules.” The statement also categorically refutes claims that the NBA offered to remove the fine if the Raptors relinquished Drake of his “global ambassador” title:

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

During his OVO Fest earlier this month, Drake informed the crowd in Toronto that Kevin Durant was at the event. The anti-tampering violation came when he asked the crowd to help “[Kevin Durant] see what would happen if he came to play in Toronto.”