TORONTO - With all eyes in the basketball universe focused on the Raptors in 2016, Canadas team is positioned to look a whole lot different. With the exception of their occasionally contested team name, the Raptors are slated for a full brand makeover by the time NBA All-Star weekend rolls into town in February of 2016. Alongside Drake - Grammy award-winning artist and the teams new global ambassador - and an eclectic panel which included NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, Tim Leiweke revealed an initiative to utilize the Toronto-born rap star in redesigning the Raptors image. "We are now going to submit to the league a new application for new branding and a new image and new colours, not a new name, but new branding," MLSEs chief executive announced at Monday mornings news conference. "Drake will be an ambassador and help us forge this new vision, this new buzz, this new excitement for where were taking this organization." This process has already begun according to Leiweke, who will work with MLSE, in conjunction with the NBA to complete these changes prior to the 2015-16 campaign, a monumental season for the franchise. Not only will Toronto welcome the NBAs annual showcase that year, it will also mark the organizations 20th anniversary season. "This is a team and this is a sport thats going to rock this city going forward," Leiweke said. "The NBA All-Star game gives us two years now to do some extraordinary things as we head to our 20th anniversary and create one of the greatest basketball opportunities, moments and franchises for the NBA." Leiweke has enlisted the help of Torontos most prominent entertainer. Drake will lend a hand in remaking the Raptors brand in addition to unofficially hosting events throughout All-Star week, but his role with the club could be even greater. "Weve only had initial meetings thus far," said Drake, who will have a permanent office right next to Leiwekes at MLSE headquarters. "I want to be as involved as possible. Obviously I have a busy schedule coming up, I just released an album, but anything they need me for I want to be here for, anything that can help the Raptors grow in the future." "Obviously I wont be able to be in the building everyday but Im extremely dedicated to it," the 26-year-old rap icon continued. "I do take it very seriously as a new job and as a new chapter in my life so its not just something for the sake of all the cameras. Im extremely dedicated to this franchise." Per Leiweke, Drake will be heavily involved in the design of the Torontos new logo and image, while suggestions from fans will also be incorporated. As for the team name itself, despite earlier speculation that it could be changed - and the best efforts of Leiweke - it will remain as is. "I would have changed the name," Leiweke admitted. "We took a vote and I lost." "Theres a lot of people that are smart in this organization, that have been here a while and they made a compelling case where the issue is not the name. So were going to go with them on that one and Im 100 per cent supportive." New general manager Masai Ujiri made a strong argument for keeping the name and focusing on something far more important, something that will be crucial for this team as they prepare to host the leagues marquee midseason event in 2016. "Anything you do, for me, is all based on winning," Ujiri maintained. "You can have the best name, worst name, you can have any colours you want if you have the right basketball players and thats our responsibility." "This is all great and this is beautiful for the city," he continued, "but at the end of the day my responsibility and my teams responsibility is to put that basketball team on the floor thats going to go out and try and win out there." Neither Leiweke nor Ujiri could, or cared to dodge the pressure that comes with hosting the worlds best players for the most star-studded event that professional basketball has to offer. With great opportunity comes great responsibility. "I think the 20th anniversary and All-Star game and the rebranding are all great," Leiweke cautioned, "but if we dont win and take advantage of the moment of truth, theyll all be wasted." That leaves the organization 28 months to right the ship. Entering their 19th season, the Raptors have missed the playoffs in each of the last five years. Theyve won just one playoff series, they havent had an all-star since Chris Bosh in 2010 and they have failed, time and time again to reestablish themselves as a relevant NBA entity following the departure of Vince Carter over eight years ago. The challenge is simple in concept; win, but slightly more convoluted in execution. E.J. Biggers Jersey . 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Edwards Youth Jersey .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers.NEW YORK -- Joe Girardi is happy to see Jacoby Ellsbury in Yankees pinstripes instead of the uniform of the rival Boston Red Sox. "You are going to make my job a lot easier," the New York manager told his new outfielder. "You no longer are a thorn in my side. You are a flower in our clubhouse, and Im happy to have you." Ellsbury agreed to a $153 million, seven-year contract Dec. 3, and the deal was completed four days later. He was formally introduced Friday at a Yankee Stadium news conference, part of an off-season transformation that has seen New York add Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran while watching Robinson Cano depart. Ellsbury will wear No. 22 with the Yankees, taking over the number of Roger Clemens, another Boston star who moved south to New York. No. 2, Ellsburys uniform with the Red Sox, belongs to Yankees captain Derek Jeter. Ellsbury was No. 23 in college, but thats retired in honour of Don Mattingly. And Ellsbury started his big league career with No. 46, which was worn by Andy Pettitte and isnt being given out any time soon, if at all. "Twenty-two, Ive never worn that number, but 2 is my favourite number, so why not have two of them?" Ellsbury said. A lefty-hitting leadoff man, the 30-year-old led the majors with 52 steals despite a broken foot late this season. He finished with a .298 average, nine homers and 53 RBIs. Ellsbury spent 158 days on the disabled list in 2010 after breaking ribs in a collision with third baseman Adrian Beltre. He was on the DL for 90 days in 2012, when he dislocated his right shoulder when sliding into Rays shortstop Reid Brignac while trying to break up a double-play in Bostons home opener. "I play the game hard. I play the game I feel like the right way," Ellsbury said. "It was just two unfortunate things." He didnt go on the DL this year, when he was limited to 134 games by a broken bone in his right foot that he played on throughout the post-season before it completely healed. "I already made my mind up I would play in the post-season no matter how it felt," he said. "There was a risk -- a foul ball off my foot. ... The reward was worth the risk." New York general manager Brian Cashman thinks the injuries were anomalies. "Theres risk always whhen you make those type of commitments, but we signed the player because of the projected reward," Cashman said.dddddddddddd"Hes a unique talent." Ellsburys arrival was linked to the slow negotiations with All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano, who left for a $240 million, 10-year deal with Seattle. "We have to start moving now," Cashman remembered telling his bosses. "And to move early, you have to step up and separate yourself from the pack." Ellsburys deal calls for salaries of $21,142,857.15 per season and includes a $21 million team option for 2021 with a $5 million buyout. Ellsbury gets a full no-trade provision and the right to purchase six Legends Suite tickets per year. "Ive seen him get base hits. Ive seen him hit home runs. Ive seen him steal second. Ive seen him steal third," Girardi said. "And I even had the pleasure of watching him steal home off of Andy Pettitte when I was standing right behind him and we were all screaming at Andy. "Ive seen him make great catches that changed the complexion of the scores between the Red Sox and Yankees. And thats why Im so excited to have him in our lineup on a daily basis, because theres so many different ways that he can beat you, whether its with his power, his speed or his glove." After seven seasons with the Red Sox and two World Series titles, Ellsbury took out a full-page ad in Fridays editions of The Boston Globe. "To the fans of New England, teammates and the many friendships made. Thank you!" the ad stated. He wouldnt be surprised if he receives a hostile reception when he returns to Fenway Park next season. "Fans like to boo. Its just kind of fun to boo," he said. But he cherishes his time in Boston. He had dinner Thursday night with former Red Sox teammates Dustin Pedroia and David Ross. "It was seven great years. The fans treated me great," Ellsbury said. "The guys in the clubhouse, those are relationships that Ill have for the rest of my life regardless of what uniform Im in or the uniform theyre in." NOTES: Wells wore 22 at the end of last season. With Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, Beltran, Alfonso Soriano and Ichiro Suzuki, there appears no room for Wells on the roster unless there is a trade or injury. wholesale stitched jerseys wholesale jerseys wholesale nfl jerseys cheap nfl jerseys cheap nfl jerseys china ' ' '