CURIOSITIES

Music and sports: which NBA franchise do singers root for?

The NBA is much loved and followed not only in North America, but all over the world, and the basketball season is getting into full swing with the playoffs. 

There are many fans of the most exciting basketball league of all, including many singers and rappers who often sit in the stands to watch their favourite franchises live. Not everyone can rejoice, however, given their teams' disappointing results this season. 

Here's who some of the most famous singers are cheering for: from Rihanna and Beyoncé to Eminem and Drake.

Getty Images
Which NBA franchise do the most famous singers root for?
The NBA is much loved and followed not only in North America, but all over the world. And the basketball season is getting into full swing with the playoffs. There are many fans of the most exciting basketball league of all: among them, also many singers and rappers who often sit in the stands to watch their favourite franchises live. Not everyone, however, can rejoice, given their teams' disappointing results this season. Here's who some of the most famous singers are cheering for: from Rihanna and Beyoncé to Eminem and Drake.
Getty Images
Rihanna - LeBron James
Rihanna is often photographed attending NBA games. The singer has not declared herself a fan of any particular franchise, but she is a big supporter of LeBron James. Over the years, she has often been seen at Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers games.
Getty Images
Jay-Z: Brooklyn Nets
In addition to being a Nets fan, Jay-Z has long been a co-owner of the franchise. In fact, it was the rapper who was one of the partners who proposed in 2012 to move the Nets from New Jersey to Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Jay-Z sold his shares in the Nets, but continues to be a huge fan and often attends their games live.
Getty Images
Beyoncé: Houston Rockets
Same passion as her husband Jay-Z, but a fan of another franchise: Beyoncé supports Houston, the city where she was born. Not just a fan: in 2017, the singer was apparently strongly interested in buying the Rockets. Very often, Beyoncé is photographed with her husband Jay-Z attending games, including, of course, Rockets-Nets games.
Getty Images
Travis Scott: Houston Rockets
Like Beyoncé, Travis Scott was born in Houston and is a Rockets fan. The rapper also collaborated with his hometown franchise in May 2017. In fact, Travis Scott designed a special Rockets jersey with the words Run As One. The jersey was used by James Harden and teammates in a playoff semifinals game against another Texas franchise, the San Antonio Spurs.
Getty Images
Drake: Toronto Raptors
As a Toronto native, Drake could only support the Raptors. The rapper is often present at Scotiabank Arena and has even become the franchise's Brand Ambassador: this choice was desired by the Raptors' owners to win the interest and support of younger fans.
Getty Images
Snoop Dogg: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have many VIP fans, such as the actor Jack Nicholson. Among the fans is also Snoop Dogg, who has also often criticised his favourite franchise: in June 2021, for example, the rapper challenged the Lakers coach of the time, Frank Vogel, claiming that he did not know how to coach. Snoop Dogg also often pokes fun at other franchises: one of them being the Clippers, the other Los Angeles team.
Getty Images
Juicy J: Memphis Grizzlies
Juicy J is an avid fan of his hometown franchise: the Memphis Grizzlies. The rapper has even mentioned his passion for the Grizzlies in some of his songs and on his Twitter profile he often comments on games, revealing all his passion.
Getty Images
Justin Timberlake: Memphis Grizzlies
Like Juicy J, Justin Timberlake was born in Memphis and couldn't help but root for the Grizzlies after they moved from Vancouver to the Tennessee city. The singer is such a Grizzlies fan that he has even become a minority partner and thus co-owner. On a few occasions, however, Timberlake has also been photographed wearing Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers clothing and caps...
Getty Images
Kanye West: Chicago Bulls
Kanye West was born near Atlanta, but moved with his mother to Chicago when he was three years old. Because of this, the rapper became a huge Bulls fan.
Getty Images
DJ Khaled: Miami Heat
DJ Khaled was born in New Orleans, but lives in Miami, which is why he can often be seen at the FTX Arena supporting the Heat. DJ Khaled also starred in a funny episode in May 2022, during the playoff game between the Heat and Sixers: the ball had ended up outside near his seat, so the DJ retrieved the ball from a security guard, handed it back to player Max Strus, and cheered the crowd in the stands. Finally, he also gave the Heat coach a shoulder massage, just as Drake did years ago with the Toronto Raptors coach.
Getty Images
Eminem - Detroit Pistons
Since 1957, the Pistons have played in Detroit, and Eminem grew up and received his artistic training in the Michigan city. The rapper was also featured at the opening of Little Caesars Arena, home of the Pistons since 2017: on that occasion, Eminem wore the jersey with the new franchise logo, took the microphone and incited all the fans to support their hometown team.
Informativa ai sensi della Direttiva 2009/136/CE: questo sito utilizza solo cookie tecnici necessari alla navigazione da parte dell'utente in assenza dei quali il sito non potrebbe funzionare correttamente.