Musician and Raptors Global Ambassador Drake has been busy working with the team's rebrand that "will be unveiled before" the team hosts the '16 NBA All-Star Game, according to Ryan Wolstat of the TORONTO SUN. Drake said, “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 added that he would "be sticking around long-term, though not with any ownership stake in the franchise" (TORONTO SUN, 12/18). The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly writes since Drake became formally associated with the Raptors in '13, "no public figure has become so synonymous" with a sports club" anywhere. He is "more than a booster and a face of the franchise;" he is "the face of the city." He has "a better claim on the title of chief magistrate than the mayor." It is impossible to deny his "civic essentialism." He has put Toronto and Canada "on imaginative maps that used to end just north of Detroit" (GLOBE & MAIL, 12/18).
ALL ME: In Toronto, Richard Griffin notes at yesterday's Nets-Raptors game -- the second annual Drake Night -- fans "received a Drake t-shirt." In an "improvised script" during starting lineup introductions, Raptors G Kyle Lowry was labeled "the baby-faced assassin." Drake at a pre-game press conference said, "I just care so much about this city and the people in it -- night after night it’s just so amazing to see all these seats sold out.” There has been speculation that MLSE President & CEO Tim Leiweke's impending exit could be Drake’s "swan song with the organization in terms of having an official role." Drake said, "Tim has been a great boss and a great mentor, but I’ve been in this city for 28 years so all respect to Tim, but with or without him my focus has always been about Toronto and about the Raptors." Griffin writes one "profile-enhancing aspect of having Drake around is the Raps finally have a bona-fide No. 1 fan, just like Jack Nicholson of the Lakers, Spike Lee of the Knicks and Billy Crystal with the Clippers" (TORONTO STAR, 12/18). The NATIONAL POST's Eric Koreen notes last night's game "was broadcast nationally" on ESPN and "called for a bigger, better Drake Night." The masses "seemed into it, but there was a distinct lack of originality" (NATIONAL POST, 12/18). In DC, Des Bieler notes Drake got "to introduce the Raptors' starters before the game" at Air Canada Centre. He also "referred to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as 'Sterling'" during an interview with ESPN (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/18).
