On Monday, the NBA reportedly fined the Toronto Raptors $25,000 after Drake, their global ambassador, made an on-stage pitch to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant last week at OVO Fest.
But according to a report Tuesday from The Globe and Mail’s Cathal Kelly, the league offered to rescind the fine if the Raptors cut ties with the rapper.
The Raptors declined the offer, according to Kelly.
At this year’s OVO Fest — an annual Toronto-based hip-hop festival hosted by Drake — the 27-year-old rapper made a pitch to Durant.
“You know, my brother 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.”
A raucous crowd exploded in approval, with Durant later tweeting about his experience in Toronto.
