Drake - Toronto Raptors 'ambassador'
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Toronto Raptors general manager Ujiri, rapper Drake, and President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Leiwekea pose after an announcement that the Raptors will host the NBA All-Star game in Toronto
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Rapper Drake sits with Toronto Mayor Ford during an announcement that the Toronto Raptors will host the 2016 NBA All-Star game in Toronto
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Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey, left, and rapper Drake react during Game 1 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series between the Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets, in Toronto on Saturday, April 19, 2014. The Nets won 94-87. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
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Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey, right, and rapper Drake react near the end of a loss to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 7 of the opening-round NBA basketball playoff series in Toronto, Sunday, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)
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Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey, right, and rapper Drake react near the end of a loss to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 7 of the opening-round NBA basketball playoff series in Toronto, Sunday, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)
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Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey and rapper Drake react during the Raptors' 94-87 loss to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series, in Toronto on Saturday, April 19, 2014. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
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Rapper Drake, left, reacts during the Toronto Raptors 94-87 loss to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series, in Toronto on Saturday, April 19, 2014. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
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Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey gestures at a referee as musician Drake, lower center left, watches during the first half of Game 1 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series, in Toronto on Saturday, April 19, 2014. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)
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Recording artist Drake watches while Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul stands on the court in front of him during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
Rapper/actor/moderately successful cable TV host Drake has an “ambassador” position with the Toronto Raptors, though his role with the organization is still somewhat unclear. He shows up courtside to some games, he’s not quite an investor in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment’s ownership division, and he’s also not a personnel executive charged with obtaining players and coaches.
That vague bit of branding is why we were all confused when the NBA decided to levy a $25,000 fine on the Raptors after Drake led a Toronto-area crowd in a round of cheers for Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant last week.
— Kelly Dwyer
Check out photos of Drake's first year as a Raptors "ambassador."