Drake's Kevin Durant Shout-out Costs Toronto Raptors $25,000

Perhaps, Drake didn't know he had tripped over a wire with his stunt at the OVO Fest last weekend.

The internationally acclaimed rapper, the Toronto Raptors' official global ambassador since September, asked the audience how they'd feel if the team struck a deal with NBA's most valuable player, Kevin Durant, The Star wrote.

"My brother Kevin Durant was kind enough to come to the show tonight and watch us,'' Drake told the fans, the report noted. "I just want him to see what would happen if he were to come play in Toronto."

The league apparently deemed it a violation of "'anti-tampering rules" and the Raptors were slapped with a $25,000 fine because of it.

The report also said fans chanted "K-D!" in reaction, while ESPN added that Durant received a standing ovation. Watch a video of the event here.

Aside from the Raptors, Durant's home team, Washington Wizards, and the Los Angeles Lakers, are reportedly among the teams wooing the MVP, The Star mentioned.

He was just having some fun, CBS Sports commented, noting that it is still legally unclear if a non-employee's actions can be ascribed to the team.

The rationale would be "interesting to hear," CBS Sports continued, that it equals the fine imposed on New York Knicks president, Phil Jackson, when he publicly discussed Derek Fisher's head coach assignment while still a player under contract.

The Raptors might not have expected the Toronto native's comments to cost them anything either, Billboard.com said, commenting that hip-hop gives leeway for profanity and obscenity but pro sports has its bounds.

The NBA saw the act as a "recruiting pitch," according to ESPN, as this time, Drake is more than just a prominent cheerleader.

The rapper, who does not shy away from high-profile teams, was given the fine because the league thought he "took his sporting allegiances a bit too far," the Los Angeles Times noted. It even speculated that Drake's songs won't be playing in the background of video montages by recruiters, without explaining further.

According to the New York Post, Durant has publicly said he was a Raptors fan growing up and wanted to play for it. However, it added, the Raptors are not expected to land the superstar.

A tweet, retweeted by more than 2,000 and favorited by more than 3,000, suggests that even Durant had no idea the scene would cost the Raptors a reprimand. The post was a positive shoutout to Toronto, which Drake refers to as "the 6."

He said: "I love the 6. Thanks @drake, nikko, chubs, future, P Reign and the rest of the crew. Y'all showed so much love. Back in the 405!!!"