Masai Ujiri out as vice-chairman, president of Toronto Raptors
Masai Ujiri is out as vice-chairman and president of the Toronto Raptors, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) says.
MLSE and Ujiri, who was entering the final year of his contract, “parted ways” Friday, the organization announced. Ujiri’s departure was first reported by ESPN, citing sources.
The reported dismissal continues MLSE’s recent trend of moving on from team presidents: Brendan Shanahan was let go last month by the Maple Leafs, and Bill Manning was let go last year by both Toronto FC and the Argonauts.
Keith Pelley, MLSE president and CEO, said in a statement Ujiri, 54, was an “inspirational leader” who transformed the organization both on and off the court.
“He brought an NBA Championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves,” he said.
“We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best.”
Ujiri took the Raptors to their lone NBA title in 2019 after a series of bold moves, including trading star DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard and firing coach Dwane Casey in favour of then-assistant coach Nick Nurse.
Under Ujiri, the Raptors made the playoffs seven straight seasons from 2013-14 to 2019-20. However, the team has struggled after their championship glory, failing to recapture that magic and entering a rebuild that saw the team miss the playoffs with a 30-52 record this year.
Reports had surfaced late last year that there was friction between Ujiri and Edward Rogers, the executive chair of Rogers Communications, which is now the controlling shareholder of MLSE. Ujiri tried to lay rest to those rumours in September, while the Toronto Star reported in 2021 that Rogers had unsuccessfully fought plans to re-sign Ujiri as vice-chairman and president of basketball operations, saying he was not worth the amount offered.
An assistant general manager in Toronto in 2008 before taking over as GM of the Denver Nuggets, he was rehired by the Raptors to run basketball operations in May 2013. Ujiri, a Nigerian national, is also co-founder of Giants of Africa, an organization which uses sport as a tool to help youth on the continent.
Pelley said a search for Ujiri’s successor will begin immediately. Raptors front office leadership remains in place, with extensions for key personnel, including general manager Bobby Webster.
“We are confident that the Raptors organization, under the guidance of Bobby and his team, is in a great place,” Pelley said.
“They have a plan in place for next season and beyond as the team continues its rebuild, and we have confidence in their ability to execute and ultimately, to excel. We feel the team is in a strong, stable place, and we believe the addition of a new president will continue to move the Raptors forward, towards our next NBA championship.”
— With files from The Canadian Press
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