Drake Loses $1M Bet, Blames Justin Bieber Curse for Maple Leafs’ NHL Playoff G7 Loss
Drake, the globally renowned Canadian rapper, has always been known for his deep ties to his home country, particularly his allegiance to the Toronto sports teams. His love for the city of Toronto has been well-documented over the years, and it often plays out in public displays of support for the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs, two of the city’s most beloved teams. But on one fateful night, Drake, who has developed a reputation for betting large sums of money on his teams, found himself on the losing side, not just financially but emotionally as well. After the Toronto Maple Leafs’ devastating Game 7 loss in the NHL Playoffs, Drake found himself placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of a somewhat unexpected culprit: the so-called “Justin Bieber Curse.”
The game, which saw the Leafs fall short against a fierce opponent, marked the latest chapter in a long history of playoff disappointments for Toronto’s hockey team. While many fans have grown accustomed to the team’s early exits, the weight of expectations heading into this particular playoff run was higher than ever. Toronto’s roster was stacked, their regular-season performance was stellar, and the pressure to finally deliver a championship was palpable. With such high stakes, it was only natural that Drake, a man known for his high-profile bets and social media antics, would make a bold wager.
In this case, the bet was for $1 million—a hefty sum, even by Drake’s standards. The rapper has made a name for himself placing large, attention-grabbing bets on the success of his teams. With the Leafs in the thick of their playoff run, Drake put his money where his mouth was, staking a cool $1 million on their victory. Unfortunately, what transpired in Game 7 was a crushing defeat that sent Toronto fans and Drake alike reeling.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had entered Game 7 with a promising lead in the series, but the pressure of the moment seemed to weigh heavily on the team’s shoulders. After an intense back-and-forth battle, the Leafs found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard when the final buzzer sounded. The loss was devastating not only because of the elimination from the playoffs but because it seemed to epitomize the franchise’s long-standing struggles in the postseason.
For the Leafs, this was not the first time they had reached the postseason and failed to make it past the first round. In fact, it wasn’t even the first time they had suffered a gut-wrenching loss in a Game 7. Toronto’s playoff history has been riddled with disappointments, and this particular loss felt like a cruel repetition of past failures.
For Drake, this was a personal loss as much as it was a financial one. As a lifelong supporter of the Leafs, the rapper’s enthusiasm for the team was well-known, and his high-profile wager only underscored the significance of the moment. Yet, as much as the defeat stung, Drake’s response to the loss was somewhat unexpected. Rather than simply accepting the loss or blaming the players, Drake did something that caused many to raise their eyebrows: he blamed Justin Bieber.
To understand why Drake placed the blame on Bieber for the Leafs’ loss, it’s essential to take a look at the ongoing narrative surrounding the “Justin Bieber Curse.” Over the years, the concept of the Bieber Curse has become a running joke among sports fans, particularly in Toronto. The premise is simple: whenever Bieber, another Canadian megastar with deep ties to Toronto, shows public support for a team, that team is doomed to failure. Whether it’s at a Toronto Raptors game or during a Leafs playoff run, fans have often pointed to the singer’s presence or his social media posts as a bad omen for their favorite teams.
The origins of the curse are debated, but it has undeniably become part of the cultural landscape in Toronto sports. Many point to the Raptors’ struggles during playoff series in which Bieber was publicly supporting them as evidence that his involvement is a jinx. For the Leafs, the narrative became even more significant in the lead-up to this playoff season. Bieber had been vocal in his support for the team, posting photos and messages of encouragement on social media. His presence at games only seemed to fuel the media’s attention on the curse, as fans eagerly speculated whether Bieber’s influence would once again prove to be detrimental.
Drake, who has always been a staunch supporter of Toronto’s sports teams, clearly recognized the tension surrounding Bieber’s connection to the Maple Leafs’ playoff run. It was in this context that he took to social media following the Game 7 loss, posting a tongue-in-cheek message blaming the Bieber Curse for the Leafs’ demise. While the post was undoubtedly made in jest, it also reflected the growing frustration among Toronto fans, who had hoped that this year would be different.
The rapper’s playful blame of Bieber sparked a flood of reactions from fans and media alike. Some laughed at the absurdity of it all, while others took the opportunity to share their own frustrations with the team’s inability to break through in the postseason. The post quickly went viral, with many fans chiming in with their own theories about the Bieber Curse and whether it had truly played a role in the Leafs’ loss.
Drake and Bieber, both international superstars, have enormous influence, not just as musicians but as cultural icons. Their support for Toronto sports teams has always been a topic of discussion, but their involvement in the outcome of games—whether in jest or in earnest—raises an interesting question: do celebrities like Drake and Bieber have an actual impact on the performance of the teams they support?
On the one hand, it’s easy to dismiss the notion of a “curse” as pure superstition. After all, professional athletes are trained to focus on their performance, and the outcome of a game is determined by their skills, preparation, and strategy. The idea that a celebrity’s presence or support could alter the course of a game seems absurd on its face.
However, there is no denying the immense psychological impact that celebrity endorsement can have on a fan base. When a figure like Drake or Bieber publicly roots for a team, it can amplify the expectations placed on that team. The pressure to perform can sometimes manifest itself as a burden, particularly in high-stakes games like those in the NHL playoffs. The weight of expectations can sometimes be difficult for athletes to manage, and this psychological burden might contribute to a sense of failure when things don’t go as planned.
Moreover, celebrities have the power to shape narratives and influence public opinion. When Drake makes a bet or Bieber attends a game, the media attention surrounding their involvement can add layers of expectation and scrutiny to a team’s performance. This external pressure can create an environment where failure feels all the more disappointing.
Drake’s $1 million bet was more than just a wager—it was a reflection of the broader narrative surrounding the Maple Leafs’ playoff failures. Toronto fans have been waiting for decades for the team to achieve sustained success, and every year, they hope that this time will be different. But despite their talent and potential, the Leafs have continually fallen short in the postseason.
This year’s Game 7 loss, while particularly heartbreaking, was just another chapter in a long and painful history. For fans like Drake, who have invested emotionally and financially in the team’s success, each loss feels like a personal defeat. And when things don’t go according to plan, it’s natural to search for explanations, even if those explanations come in the form of humor or superstition.
The connection between Drake, Bieber, and the Leafs’ playoff struggles highlights a deeper issue: the weight of expectation that comes with being a fan of a team with such a storied but troubled history. Toronto’s sports culture is one of passion and loyalty, but it is also one that is marked by repeated heartbreak. As much as fans want to believe in their teams, the specter of past failures looms large, and it can be hard to shake the feeling that success is always just out of reach.
Drake’s $1 million bet and his subsequent blame of the Justin Bieber Curse after the Leafs’ Game 7 loss were, in many ways, a reflection of the emotional rollercoaster that is being a Toronto sports fan. The combination of celebrity influence, high expectations, and past disappointments creates a potent mix of hope and frustration. For Drake, as for many other fans, the pain of the Leafs’ loss was compounded by the sense that this year could have been different. And as the media and fans continue to debate the role of the Bieber Curse, one thing remains clear: Toronto sports fans, including those with millions of dollars riding on their teams, will continue to hold out hope that one day, the long wait for a championship will finally come to an end.
