By @MinneeTellsItAll
Hip-HopVibe.com Contributing Writer
Looks like the Toronto Raptors had a Drake rebrand as the 6 God continues to play a role in the team’s development. The Raptors renamed their practice facility formerly known as the BioSteel Centre to the OVO Athletics Training Centre. The revamped training facility is paying homage to Drake who serves as the Raptors’ global ambassador.
OVO is branded on the building in the form of new gold signage and logos accompanied by the OVO owl. According to Josh Lewenberg, the musician also has a key to the team’s facility. OVO, or October’s Very Own, is the name of the record label founded by the Toronto-born rapper/entertainer. It is no surprise that the organization is going the extra mile by putting his branding on the training facility — considering he already has his own locker room stall in their home arena.
The Raptors really gave Drake a stall in the locker room with the name ‘The Boy’ and it’s really DeMar’s old one. (Via @delonwright insta) pic.twitter.com/2plRjgmDZi
— Faizal Khamisa (@FaizalKhamisa) December 4, 2018
OVO’s affiliation with the Raptors extends past the training facility’s name. Along with the opening celebration of the new facility, Toronto is continuing the team’s “Drake Night” and is dropping the OVO x Raptors Spring 2019 Collection, which is only available at their Scotiabank Arena for their next two home games. Aside from their “Welcome Toronto” and OVO-themed home games, Drake and the Raptors also started the Welcome Toronto program which saw the two parties donate $1 million USD to refurbish local community basketball courts and $2 million USD to Canada Basketball.
Drake continues to show love and support for his hometown!
We made it happen. Introducing the OVO Athletic Centre.@welcomeOVO | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/8Z2Trv6evi
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 14, 2019
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