Toronto Raptors Global Brand Ambassador and rapper DrakeChris Young/The Canadian Press
Comments made by rapper Drake at a recent Toronto concert have cost the Toronto Raptors $25,000 in tampering fines.
The NBA confirmed earlier reports that the Raptors were fined after Drake made comments directed towards superstar forward Kevin Durant, who is still under contract to the Oklahoma Thunder.
"My brother Kevin Durant was kind enough to come to the show tonight," Drake said at the recent OVO Fest in Toronto to a rousing chorus of cheers. "I just wanted to see what would happen if he came to play in Toronto. Let him know what would happen." At that point, the crowd erupts into more cheering while chanting "KD".
Durant tweeted his appreciation following the show.
"I love the 6. Thanks @drake, nikko, chubs, future, P Reign and the rest of the crew. Y'all showed so much love."
The league regarded Durant's appearance and the comments as a public recruiting pitch from the famed Canadian artist.
Durant, the reigning NBA MVP, is scheduled to be among the headliners of the 2016 free agent class.
While its not unheard of for NBA players to try and woo fellow players to come and play for their teams, it is a problem in Drake's case. The Toronto-born Canadian recording artist is listed as a "Global Brand Ambassador" with the Raptors which effectively makes him an employee of the team and thus subject to the NBA's anti-tampering rules.