Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) have decided to part ways, marking the end of a more than decade-long run that delivered the franchise’s first NBA title.
Ujiri, who joined the Raptors as the team’s general manager in 2014 before becoming team president two years later, was entering the final year of his contract as Vice Chairman and President of the NBA franchise.
ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania was first to report the move.
“Today is not an easy day, but change is never easy,” said MLSE President Keith Pelley in detailing his reasons for making the change at this time.
“With the evolution of where the Toronto Raptors are, in the middle of a rebuild, we felt the need to bring in a new president.”
Pelley said he met with Ujiri a month ago and both decided that if there was going to be a change that it should be made after the NBA Draft, which was held over the last two days.
“Masai Ujiri has had a monumental impact on the Raptors and our community. His legacy will be indelibly etched in our city in perpetuity.”
Pelley said a search for the next president of the Raptors will begin immediately.
MLSE said general manager Bobby Webster had been given a contract extension, but the terms of the deal were not released.
“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.”
Under Ujiri, the Raptors made the playoffs seven straight seasons and won five Division titles. He also orchestrated the trade for Kawhi Leonard in the summer of 2018 that culminated in Toronto’s first NBA Championship in 2019.
Ujiri also co-founded Giants of Africa, an organization which uses sport as a tool to enrich the lives of youth on the continent and encourage them to dream big.
Ujiri’s dismissal continues MLSE’s trend of moving on from team presidents – Brendan Shanahan was let go May 22 by the Maple Leafs, and Bill Manning was shown the door last year by both Toronto FC and the Argonauts.