Toronto Raptors Renames Facility After Drake’s ‘OVO’

Drake was named a global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors in 2013. Almost six later, the rapper revealed in an Instagram post on Thursday that the NBA team’s training facility had been renamed after his OVO imprint.

An acronym for “October’s Very Own,” OVO is the name of a record label and clothing line co-founded by the Toronto native.

“Introducing the OVO Athletic Centre, the official training facility for the Toronto Raptors. 🇨🇦 just wanted to add that I am so proud of my brothers and so proud to be from this city,” he wrote. “I swear this one feels like a high school dream and it’s a blessing to be able to raise up the levels and make the human mind stretch when it comes to thinking about what is possible in your lifetime!! Much love to everyone involved.”

Formerly known as the Biosteel Centre, the OVO Athletic Centre has undergone a rebrand that featured interior and exterior updates with the OVO owl logo being featured on signs throughout the facility.

More than just a physical rebrand, the NBA team will debut practice jerseys that feature the OVO owl on the upper chest later on in the 2018-2019 basketball season.

Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri discussed the new changes in a statement obtained by Canada’s CBC Sports. “Drake and OVO are an important part of our city’s landscape, our team’s identity, and our plans to bring a championship to Toronto,” he said.

“With each step of our partnership over the last five and a half years, we have worked together to build a winning basketball program in Toronto and deliver for our fans and our community.”