Canadian rapper Drake wants a WNBA team in Toronto. Already a global ambassador of the NBA's Toronto Raptors, Drake has heavily helped amass popularity and attention to the league's only non-US team. The musician has promoted team events, such as the 2016 Toronto All-Star Game, as well as collaborated on team gear with his personal brand, OVO, to increase jersey demand and sales.
Listening to the rapper's wishes could prove to be beneficial in a plethora of aspects for the WNBA.
From a financial standpoint, the WNBA has not been successful ever since its establishment back in 1996. Whereas millions of viewers keep up diurnally with the NBA, the female counterpart has found it difficult to keep viewership over 200,000. Additionally, lack of jersey and ticket sales have consistently put the organization in situations where they were not profitable.
Drake's high celebrity status and approval could be just what the WNBA needs. His advocacy for a women's basketball team in Toronto could not only accumulate viewers from a different country, but bring awareness to a league that not many people are aware of. The entire Raptors team, for example, rose to fame after various court side antics performed by Drake (Coach Nick Nurse).
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The WNBA needs to give Drake what he wants.