Drake Celebrates at the Announcement of Toronto's New WNBA Team
The hip hop superstar was on site at today's announcement of the Toronto expansion, joined by former Raptors star Kyle Lowry, and the new franchise owner Larry Tanenbaum, causing some to speculate whether Drake might have a stake in the venture.
It's a big day for basketball fans in Canada, and one superstar super-fan is definitely celebrating.
Drake, global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors, was on site at today (May 23)'s announcement of Toronto's WNBA franchise. Alongside former Raptors star Kyle Lowry and Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri, Drake came out to show some love for an exciting new era in Canadian sports.
Word to the 6ix 🇨🇦
Drake, Kyle Lowry, and Masai Ujiri are in the building to celebrate the Toronto expansion team! pic.twitter.com/U0ouEoHPkb
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 23, 2024
The new, and currently unnamed, WNBA franchise is owned by Larry Tanenbaum's Kilmer Group. Tanenbaum, a prominent Toronto businessman, is also Board Chair for Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, which owns both the Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"Our Toronto sports franchises are thriving but, we have been missing one critical piece — women's professional sports," Tanenbaum told Associated Press. The WNBA has had a big year in the cultural zeitgeist, with record-breaking viewership thanks in part to a popular rookie class including star Caitlin Clark. Toronto is now getting a piece of the action, thrilling basketball fans across the country.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were all in attendance as well, with Mayor Chow declaring May 23 as "WNBA Day" in Toronto. The new team will play at Exhibition Place in Toronto, but also plans for games in Montreal and Vancouver.
Given Drake's presence at the announcement event, some are speculating whether he might have an official stake in the team. Whether or not he's financially invested, the hitmaker is sure to draw some eyes to the team as it gets off the ground, and seeks to establish itself as a major force in Canadian sports.
