Home
Finance
Travel
Shopping
Academic
Library
Home
Discover
Spaces
 
 
  • Timing Raises Questions
  • Championship Legacy
  • Organizational Upheaval
Raptors part ways with championship architect Masai Ujiri

The Toronto Raptors have parted ways with president and vice chairman Masai Ujiri after 12 years, ending the tenure of the executive who delivered the franchise's only NBA championship. The move comes just one day after the NBA draft and less than a week before free agency begins, creating uncertainty for an organization in the midst of rebuilding.

User avatar
Curated by
urbanxplorer
3 min read
Published
1,064
14
hoopsrumors.com favicon
Hoops Rumors
Raptors, Masai Ujiri Parting Ways
globalnews.ca favicon
Global News
Reports: Ujiri, Raptors part ways after 12 years | Globalnews.ca
heavy.com favicon
Heavy
Raptors Fire Ujiri in Shock Decision Just 1 Day After NBA Draft
2025 NBA Draft Lottery
Jeff Haynes
·
gettyimages.com
Timing Raises Questions

Ujiri was entering the final year of his contract when Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment decided to make the change, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, who first reported the news Friday morning1. The Raptors confirmed the departure in a press release later that day1.

"During his 13 seasons with the Raptors, Masai has helped transform the organization on the court and has been an inspirational leader off it," MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley said in a statement1. "He brought an NBA Championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves."

The timing surprised many observers, with TSN's Josh Lewenberg noting it came "right before free agency begins next week and the morning after the two-day NBA draft"1. Toronto selected South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles with the ninth overall pick Thursday2.

General manager Bobby Webster and other top executives received contract extensions and will remain with the organization, according to the announcement1. Pelley expressed confidence that "the team is in a strong, stable place" under Webster's leadership1.

hoopsrumors.com favicon
heavy.com favicon
2 sources
Championship Legacy

Ujiri joined the Raptors as general manager in 2013 and was promoted to president in 20161. His boldest move came in 2018 when he traded franchise cornerstone DeMar DeRozan to acquire Kawhi Leonard from San Antonio, a decision that paid off with the 2019 NBA championship1.

Under Ujiri's leadership, Toronto made the playoffs seven straight seasons from 2013-14 to 2019-20 and won five Atlantic Division titles2. However, the team has struggled since that championship run, missing the playoffs in four of the past five years and finishing 30-52 this past season3.

en.wikipedia.org favicon
globalnews.ca favicon
hoopsrumors.com favicon
3 sources
Organizational Upheaval

The departure continues a pattern of leadership changes at MLSE. Brendan Shanahan was dismissed as Maple Leafs president last month, while Toronto FC and Argonauts president Bill Manning was let go last year1.

The moves come amid ownership changes at MLSE. Rogers Communications bought out Bell's stake last fall, giving Rogers majority control2. Reports suggested Ujiri had a "strained relationship" with Rogers chairman Edward Rogers III, who reportedly opposed Ujiri's 2021 contract extension2.

Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported in May that the Atlanta Hawks had shown interest in Ujiri for their president of basketball operations role2.

globalnews.ca favicon
hoopsrumors.com favicon
2 sources
Related
What's Rogers' long-term strategy for MLSE leadership changes
Which teams are positioned to pursue Ujiri immediately
How will Webster's promotion affect Toronto's rebuild timeline
Discover more
NASCAR's Daniel Suárez to leave Trackhouse after 2025
NASCAR's Daniel Suárez to leave Trackhouse after 2025
Daniel Suárez, NASCAR's first Mexican-born Cup Series winner, will part ways with Trackhouse Racing at the end of the 2025 season, the team announced Tuesday in a move that kicks off what promises to be an active driver market ahead of next year. The mutual decision between Suárez and team owner Justin Marks ends a five-year partnership that began when Trackhouse entered NASCAR's premier series...
838
UNC names RFK Racing president as next athletic director
UNC names RFK Racing president as next athletic director
The University of North Carolina announced Tuesday that Steve Newmark, president of RFK Racing, will succeed Bubba Cunningham as athletic director in summer 2026, marking a planned transition as college athletics enters a new era of direct athlete compensation. The announcement comes on the same day the $2.8 billion House antitrust settlement took effect, allowing schools to begin revenue...
332
Toronto FC cuts ties with $21.6M Italian duo
Toronto FC cuts ties with $21.6M Italian duo
Toronto FC terminated the contracts of both Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi on Tuesday, ending one of Major League Soccer's most expensive and disappointing partnerships. The club used both of its permitted contract buyouts to part ways with the Italian designated players, who combined for $21.6 million in guaranteed compensation this season—more than the total payroll of all but...
1,026
Tavares takes massive pay cut to stay with Maple Leafs
Tavares takes massive pay cut to stay with Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs secured veteran center John Tavares for four more years at a fraction of his previous salary, while the Edmonton Oilers locked up forward Trent Frederic for eight years, as both teams moved swiftly Friday to retain key players just days before NHL free agency opens. Tavares, 34, agreed to a four-year extension worth $4.38 million annually, representing a dramatic pay cut...
1,186