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Report: NBA Asked Toronto Raptors to Fire Drake

Did league try to get franchise to axe Drizzy as Global Brand Ambassador of team?

A Toronto newspaper is calling the NBA's $25,000 tampering fine on the Toronto Raptors a "farce." Toronto's Globe and Mail alleged Tuesday night that the league tried to cut a deal with Raptors: “The NBA offered to drop the tampering fine if the team agreed to strip Drake of his title. The Raptors apparently refused.”

The explosive charge follows the punishment the NBA handed down on Monday after Drake's comments about Kevin Durant during last week's OVO Fest concert in Toronto were deemed as a violation of anti-tampering rules. 

With KD in attendance, checking out his show, Drizzy put the spotlight on the reigning NBA MVP, who is set to become a free agent in the summer of 2016. 

“You know, my brother [Oklahoma City Thunder star] Kevin Durant was kind enough to come to the show tonight and watch us,” said Drake. “I just want him to see what would happen if he came to play in Toronto. Let him know what would happen.”

The crowd cheered wildly for Durant. The shout out and Drizzy's connection to the franchise was enough for the NBA to levy the fine, which is standard procedure for any tampering incidents.

Jay Z, then a minority owner of the New Jersey Nets, was hit with a similar fine in 2011 when he visited the Kentucky Wildcats locker room during a NCAA tournament game. The NBA slapped the Nets with a $50,000 fine for Hov’s social call, as league rules prohibits team personnel from having contact with collegiate athletes who are not yet draft eligible.

The NBA has yet to comment about this report.  

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(Photo: Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

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