National Basketball Association

NBA fines Raptors for rapper Drake's pitch to Kevin Durant

Published Aug. 11, 2014 11:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

The NBA has fined the Toronto Raptors for tampering after rapper Drake let Kevin Durant know he was wanted in Canada.

Drake is a ''global ambassador'' for Canada's NBA club. He was performing at a concert that Durant was attending last week in Toronto when he shouted to the crowd to show the league's MVP what it would be like if he came to play for the Raptors, causing a loud ovation.

An NBA spokesman confirmed the fine, which ESPN.com reported Monday was for $25,000.

Durant can become a free agent after the 2015-16 season. He has spent his entire career with the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise.