As a sports fan, you get one favorite sport’s team from each major sport, plus two college teams. Soccer, baseball, hockey, football and basketball. That’s the golden rule of sports fanship.
There are very few loopholes in the contract you sign. For example, the grotesque Penn State scandal or if Jameis Winston becomes your NFL team's quarterback.
If the New England Patriots are found guilty of deflating their footballs, that's an out for you. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have another season like the one past, that's your get out of jail free card.
Publicly supporting more than one team from the same sport is shameful. Even for celebrities.
Drake's fan girl behavior has become a long-running joke. It's more than having professional athlete friends and the money to fly across the globe to watch them. Drake's not a new or casual sports fan either. His alliances should be cemented by now. The joke has gotten so big that Drake has responded.
“In the past I’ve always supported the player and not the institution—unless we’re talking about the Kentucky Wildcats and the Toronto Raptors; I will never stray from them,” he continued. “But whether it comes to soccer or football or basketball, I have a lot of friends that play for a lot of teams. I’m not team jumping. I’m a supportive friend.”
Here are Drake's top ten most favorite teams or the teams where he is a "supportive friend."
10 10. Connecticut Huskies
NCAA Championship Game, Papi took pictures with World Wide Wes and Richard Hamilton. In the photo, Drake is clearly wearing a Nike UConn dri-fit. This led to numerous memes which include "Started with UK and now I'm here."
After the UConn beat Kentucky, the Huskies decided to have some fun with the rapper and trolled him online, tweeting him:
Imma just hand @Drake a business card and say... We Made It pic.twitter.com/YMYalWClmx
— UConn Men's Hoops (@UConnMBB) April 8, 2014
— UConn Men's Hoops (@UConnMBB) April 8, 2014
9 9. Toronto FC
As a Toronto kid, Drake sometimes backs the FC. He even played a key role in bringing England soccer star Jermain Defoe to Toronto (though he's already left). His Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment boss Tim Leiweke says Drake spoke to Defoe several times by phone during contract negotiations. Drake says of the calls:
"I think that all I did is just give him the necessary information that he needed about a city that he didn't know much about. "And I told him how great it's been to me and how great I assume it will be to him. And we had a great conversation. We built up a personal relationship. I'm excited to see him begin his career here. I think that everybody's excited."
8 8. Manchester United
In 2007, Drake name-dropped United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy in a song to show off his sports IQ while also apparently paying tribute to his team. Since then, Drake has been spotted in Manchester United gear, hanging out with his boy Rio Ferdinand. Soon after, Drake was spotted at a Manchester City game, swapping United's reds for City's blues. Not long after, Tom Cleverley of Manchester United posted a picture of himself and Drake on his website. United won him back.
7 7. Miami Heat
The creator of the term "Yolo" used to regularly fly into Miami for Heat games when LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade made up the foundation of the team. His court side presence was pretty regular, along with Lil Wayne. Occasionally, LeBron would come by for a high-five. Papi celebrated the Heat's championship win with them in an Miami nightclub. Taking some very adorable pictures with LeBron.
6 6. Seattle Seahawks
In late 2013, Drake stopped by a Seattle Seahawks practice while on tour after 20 Seahawks attended his concert at the Tacoma Dome. Drake even took, and instagramed, a picture of himself shaking hands with coach Pete Carroll.
Russell Wilson threw Drake a couple of passes after practice.
Drake says, “I’m such a fan – Golden (Tate), (Marshawn) Lynch, (Richard) Sherman and obviously Russ (Wilson). So it’s just so great to come out and see them in person, especially at practice.” “It’s great,” Drake said. “Today was definitely one of my dreams come true. I’m a newer Seahawks fan, but I’m still a Seahawks fan.” Kam Chancellor loved the concert and the visit from Drake so much, he said, “He can be in the Legion of Boom if he wants to.”
5 5. Cleveland Cavaliers
When Drake became a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, it became clear he wasn't loyal to the teams he regularly endorses. At that point, it was acceptable. He had claimed to be a big Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors' guy. He grew up in Toronto but the Raptors were mostly terrible until recently, so many fans pick a secondary team. Miami was the team.
When Toronto native Andrew Wiggins was drafted by the Cavs, Drake went fan girl. The Internet noticed and Drake went on the defense:
"Of course, I’m gonna go watch games in Cleveland. If not for LeBron—who I said is a brother to me, we’ve got three kids from Toronto on one team, plus Manziel who is part of our family and our brother. I definitely have to look into some real estate in Cleveland and spend some months of the year out there. Like I said, my teams will always forever be who they are but I will support the group who has shifted to Cleveland."
"For Cleveland, a place that I’ve been to time and time again when I’ve been to touring, it's gonna be great for them, I’d love to see them grow.”
Since his boy was moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Drake's interest in the team has faded. In fact, he's never been seen at a game. He's also never been to a Timberwolves game.
Poor, abandoned Wiggins. Hopefully he'll get some complimentary OVO tickets.
4 4. Cleveland Browns
Drake instantly became a Cleveland Browns fan upon the organization selecting Johnny Manziel in the NFL draft last year. Previous to that, he had a custom made A&M jersey with Manziel's name on it. He's wear it when watching games according to his Instagram posts. Drake and Johnny Football became friends while Johnny was a student at Texas A&M. They spent time together over the summer, becoming so close Johnny got an OVO tattoo. Drake partied with the QB and offered him mentorship:
"To go from zero to 100 right away, the spotlight’s on, brighter than ever, I think that he’s just kinda going through the motions and of course there is accountability in some situations,” Drake said. “I encourage him to have stronger discipline than anybody else. I tell him, in this position that we’re in, it takes major sacrifice. And a lot of the time, I know you want to live your life and I know you want to have fun, but there’s also like a bigger picture here and we’re in it for the long term. “And I try and implement that into his psyche and I tell him, let’s have that discipline. Let’s sacrifice all the fun. Even if it means coming to see me. If they’re going to scrutinize you about coming to see me, don’t worry, we’ll see each other. You play your game. That’s the best advice I can offer."
Drake insisted that rookie Manziel should start as QB over Brain Hoyer. He also picked up the habit of flashing Manziel's money sign everywhere he went.
3 3. Toronto Maple Leafs
It's been a while since Drake pledged his allegiance to the blue maple leaf. However, the Leafs are the only hockey team Drake publicly supports. Drake grew up playing hockey and ended up making it to the Upper Canada College hockey camp, which is kind of a big deal. Drake's hockey career ended when he was cross checked in the neck and his mother called it.
GO LEAFS GO!!! YOU CAN'T SHAKE THE TREE!!! #TORONTOMAPLELEAFS — Drizzy (@Drake) May 13, 2013
Early in his career, Drizzy wrote lyrics about flying home for the Winter Classic. He also performed at the 2012 NHL All-Star Game.
2 2. Toronto Raptors
Drake is the Toronto Raptors Official Global Ambassador. As a result, the Raptors were fined $25,000 because Drake tried to lure Kevin Durant to Toronto during an OVO concert Durant attended during Caribana weekend.
The rapper, although, a former resident of the affluent Forest Hill Toronto neighbourhood, currently lives in Hidden Hills in the San Fernando Valley.
Ironic that Los Angeles, the city Drake lives in, is the one where he doesn't have a team.
1 1. Kentucky Wildcats
When Drake is around the Wildcats, he becomes Ashley Judd.
He maintains that he's "always" been a Kentucky fan when asked.
The rapper gave the Kentucky Wildcats a post-game speech after their big Final Four tournament win.
Drake's even suited up with the team for warmups. Lining up like everybody else in the lay-up line. Drake took some shots, and showed off his air-balling three-pointers skills. Too bad he's not big enough to be a center.
Drake even got a ring the last time the team won the tournament, engraved with the name "Drizzy."