Toronto Raptors' training facility rebranded to the 'OVO Athletic Centre'

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The Toronto Raptors took another step in expanding their partnership with OVO and their Global Ambassador Drake on Thursday.

The Raptors have officially rebranded their training facility as the 'OVO Athletic Centre'.


 

“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,” said Raptors President Masai Ujiri.

“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. This new naming rights deal for our training facility is a perfect example of the strength of this partnership and the innovative opportunities it can generate.”

Ujiri flew to Manchester, England, where Drake is currently on tour, to deliver him a key to the newly named practice facility, per TSN's Josh Lewenberg.

Along with the naming rights deal and signage on the inside and outside of the facility, there will also be interior redesign reflecting the Raptors and OVO brands, as well as the Raptors' practice jerseys which will now feature the OVO owl logo on the upper left chest per official release.

The release also states that "the new OVO practice jersey will be available for purchase later this off-season. A limited amount will be available through a contest on the Raptors app, otherwise fans are encouraged to enter their name on waitlist to be notified when the jersey becomes available later this summer."

In January of last year, Drake and the Raptors announced six ‘Welcome Toronto’ and OVO-themed home games each season, with the Raptors wearing their OVO-edition uniforms and a new black and gold home court for each game.

MORE: When are this season's 'Welcome Toronto' games?

The Welcome Toronto program also sees Drake and the Raptors donate $1 million to refurbish local community basketball courts and another $2 million to Canada Basketball.

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Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.