Latest news with #MLSE
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Masai Ujiri out as Raptors president in shocking move days before start of NBA free agency: 'I just fell to my knees'
The Toronto Raptors and longtime team president Masai Ujiri have gone their separate ways. Ujiri was reportedly set to enter the upcoming season in the final year of a five-year contract he signed in 2021. The somewhat shocking move, first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, comes right before the opening of NBA free agency on Monday and a day after the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Draft. Charania took to X — formerly Twitter — to break the news on Friday morning. In a statement, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) president and CEO Keith Pelley praised Ujiri for his leadership and for leading the Raptors to their first and only NBA title in 2019. However, he did not get into specifics as to why the move was made, or why it was made now. "During his 13 seasons with the Raptors, Masai has helped transform the organization on the court and has been an inspirational leader off it," Pelley wrote. "He brought an NBA Championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best. As we plan for the franchise's future, and its return to the NBA Playoffs, a search for the successor as president of the Raptors, led by CAA Executive Search, will begin immediately." The team looking to replace Ujiri is a bit of a surprise. Pelley recently fired Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan back in May and indicated that rather than replacing him, Pelley instead would be working closer with Maple Leafs GM Bred Treliving, who will now report to directly to Pelley. It was widely speculated amongst media pundits and insiders that the same structure would be implemented if a similar move was made with the Raptors. Instead, according to Pelley, general manager Bobby Webster — who reportedly just signed a contract extension — will guide the team into free agency and beyond while Pelley and Co. search for Ujiri's replacement. "We are confident that the Raptors organization, under the guidance of Bobby [Webster] 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." Many who have covered the team and are in the know, however, aren't so sure Pelley and MLSE will be replacing Ujiri anytime soon — if at all. The parent company of the Raptors, Maple Leafs, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto FC and others has brought out the axe in recent months, discarding every major team president and cutting nearly 10 per cent of its workforce since Rogers Communications became MLSE majority owner in a deal approved earlier this month worth $4.7 billion. The firing of Ujiri in particular, especially the strange timing of it, shocked many Raptors fans and media pundits who took to social media to express their disbelief. As the dust settled on the shock factor and the odd timing of it all, many Raptors fans took to social media to give Ujiri his flowers and praise the man who oversaw, by far, the greatest decade-plus in franchise history. The Raptors posted an exceptional 545-419 record under Ujiri since 2013-14, which is the fifth-best in the mark in the NBA over that time, according to Sportsnet, and of course helped secure the team's first and only NBA championship in 2019. The team also hit the 50-wins five times during Ujiri's 12 seasons with the club and qualified for the NBA layoffs in eight of those campaigns. Though success in recent years has been waning, it was an absolutely legendary run for arguably the best executive in the history of Toronto professional sports. Ujiri was hired as Raptors vice-president and general manager back in 2013 to replace the maligned Bryan Colangelo and immediately helped turn the team into a consistent threat in the Eastern Conference with the team qualifying for the postseasons in seven straight seasons between 2013 and 2020. Ujiri was promoted to team president in 2016 and Webster took over the GM role in 2017. Ujiri's most notorious move was the infamous trade in the summer of 2018 that brought superstar Kawhi Leonard to the organization in exchange for franchise legend DeMar DeRozan — essentially paving the way for Toronto's championship run that same season. It's expected Ujiri will be coveted by plenty of NBA organizations and likely won't be out of work for long if he so chooses.
GMA Network
17 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
NBA: Raptors part ways with team president Ujiri after 12 seasons
TORONTO - Masai Ujiri, who oversaw the most successful era in the history of the NBA's Toronto Raptors, is out as team president, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) announced on Friday. Ujiri, whose bold gambles helped the Raptors capture the 2019 NBA championship, making them the first and only team outside the United States to do so, was entering the final year of a five-year contract with the team. "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 press release. "He brought an NBA championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best." The decision to part ways with Ujiri comes a day after the 2025 NBA Draft concluded and following a season in which the Raptors went 30-52 and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Ujiri joined the Raptors in 2013 and became known for his bold decision-making, trading some of the team's more popular players and firing head coach Dwane Casey in May 2018 two days after he was named the NBA's coach of the year. Perhaps Ujiri's biggest gamble was the blockbuster trade in July 2018 that sacrificed fan favourite DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard, a move that was initially greeted with mixed reaction among the team's fan base. But Leonard became one of Canada's most popular athletes during his one season in Toronto as he took the Raptors on a thrilling championship run that saw him named the most valuable player of the NBA Finals. As the search for a new team president commences, Raptors front office leadership remains in place with extensions for key personnel including general manager Bobby Webster. "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,' said Pelley. —Reuters
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Masai Ujiri out as Raptors president in shocking move days before start of NBA free agency: 'I just fell to my knees'
The Toronto Raptors and longtime team president Masai Ujiri have gone their separate ways. Ujiri was reportedly set to enter the upcoming season in the final year of a five-year contract he signed in 2021. The somewhat shocking move, first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, comes right before the opening of NBA free agency on Monday and a day after the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Draft. Charania took to X — formerly Twitter — to break the news on Friday morning. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Masai Ujiri have decided to part ways, as Ujiri was entering the final year of his contract, sources tell ESPN. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2025 In a statement, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) president and CEO Keith Pelley praised Ujiri for his leadership and for leading the Raptors to their first and only NBA title in 2019. However, he did not get into specifics as to why the move was made, or why it was made now. "During his 13 seasons with the Raptors, Masai has helped transform the organization on the court and has been an inspirational leader off it," Pelley wrote. "He brought an NBA Championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best. As we plan for the franchise's future, and its return to the NBA Playoffs, a search for the successor as president of the Raptors, led by CAA Executive Search, will begin immediately." The team looking to replace Ujiri is a bit of a surprise. Pelley recently fired Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan back in May and indicated that rather than replacing him, Pelley instead would be working closer with Maple Leafs GM Bred Treliving, who will now report to directly to Pelley. It was widely speculated amongst media pundits and insiders that the same structure would be implemented if a similar move was made with the Raptors. Instead, according to Pelley, general manager Bobby Webster — who reportedly just signed a contract extension — will guide the team into free agency and beyond while Pelley and Co. search for Ujiri's replacement. "We are confident that the Raptors organization, under the guidance of Bobby [Webster] 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." Many who have covered the team and are in the know, however, aren't so sure Pelley and MLSE will be replacing Ujiri anytime soon — if at all. Make no mistake, MLSE is in a cost-cutting mode. Not going full scale cheap, but not looking to spend huge money on execs. That's significant part of reason Shanahan and Ujiri are out. — Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) June 27, 2025 Don't be surprised if Bobby Webster is presented with a contract extension. Sense for months has been that MLSE would operate without team presidents. And then it began: Bill Manning the first to go (Argos/TFC), then Shanahan, now Ujiri. Those roles unlikely to be replaced. — Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) June 27, 2025 Masai Ujiri is out as president and heart and soul of the Toronto Raptors. This is a large mistake by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. You don't find people of this quality often. — Steve Simmons (@simmonssteve) June 27, 2025 The parent company of the Raptors, Maple Leafs, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto FC and others has brought out the axe in recent months, discarding every major team president and cutting nearly 10 per cent of its workforce since Rogers Communications became MLSE majority owner in a deal approved earlier this month worth $4.7 billion. The firing of Ujiri in particular, especially the strange timing of it, shocked many Raptors fans and media pundits who took to social media to express their disbelief. I just fell to my knees at Tim Hortons over this Masai Ujiri Raptors news — tigallo (@soulqrn) June 27, 2025 This was about 60 hours ago, with Masai Ujiri welcoming Collin Murray-Boyles to Toronto. Surprising timing, to say the — Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) June 27, 2025 We knew this was coming.. however it's the timing that throws it off. Ujiri was the last standing team president at MLSE. — Kayla Grey (@Kayla_Grey) June 27, 2025 Wait why would the Raptors get rid of Masai Ujiri the day AFTER the draft? As a former employee of MLSE (Leafs and Raptors) there's a larger story here I'll bet you anything and leave it at that. — Julian (@julians_world) June 27, 2025 As everyone is saying the timing of this doesn't make sense. Concerned about the direction MLSE (Rogers) is taking our sports teams 🤔Thank you Masai Ujiri for giving our city a championship team that wewill always celebrate and be proud of. #WeTheNorth #LTL1917 — LadiesTalkinLeafs (@LTL1917) June 27, 2025 James Dolan-level incompetence by MLSE is my initial reaction. The timing and manner of firing Masai Ujiri is bad and incompetent, on top of the actual firing being a bad move. Nepo baby Ed Rogers' hands are all over this, trust. — Late stage capitalism hater 🇨🇦 (@CanadaFirst25) June 27, 2025 Not entirely surprising given Ujiri's contractual situation and the recent changes atop MLSE, but very strange timing; the morning after the draft. — Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 27, 2025 There's got to be more to this Masai Ujiri story the timing is just too wild — KEV. (@bucklezzzman) June 27, 2025 As the dust settled on the shock factor and the odd timing of it all, many Raptors fans took to social media to give Ujiri his flowers and praise the man who oversaw, by far, the greatest decade-plus in franchise history. The Raptors posted an exceptional 545-419 record under Ujiri since 2013-14, which is the fifth-best in the mark in the NBA over that time, according to Sportsnet, and of course helped secure the team's first and only NBA championship in 2019. The team also hit the 50-wins five times during Ujiri's 12 seasons with the club and qualified for the NBA layoffs in eight of those campaigns. Though success in recent years has been waning, it was an absolutely legendary run for arguably the best executive in the history of Toronto professional sports. No sports exec (in my lifetime) has the recognition, respect and approval rating that Masai Ujiri has in Toronto. Unsure that's ever going to change — Armen Zargarian (@armenzarg) June 27, 2025 When you think about how basketball has grown so much in Canada, Masai Ujiri will go down in the history books for playing a massive part in that. The Toronto Raptors were a laughing stock for years and he helped change that. Salute to him. — Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) June 27, 2025 thank u Masai Ujiri for bringing opportunities to those around the world to join our league, u rlly made a difference in basketball and im srry for blaming u for everything all the time even when i stubbed my toe on that corner yesterday that was totally not ur fault — char (@govassignedgoth) June 27, 2025 An image that felt impossible when Masai Ujiri joined the RaptorsThe end of an era 🙏 — Jacob Gramegna (@jacob_gramegna) June 27, 2025 Ujiri turned the Raptors into a world-class organization, shifting the way teams/players/fans view Toronto. But his legacy is the way he changed how this market views itself. His pride/passion for team/city/country. How he lifted it up. We The North. Thats how he'll be remembered — Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 27, 2025 No one person in history of the franchise did more to legitimize the Toronto Raptors as an organization than Masai changed the culture, embraced Toronto and gave a city so desperate for a winner the championship that eluded them for nearly 30 will be missed. — Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) June 27, 2025 End of an era, thank you Masai 2019 forever — kishan (@_kishanmistry) June 27, 2025 End of an era. Thank you, Masai — Matt Tierney (@Tierchild) June 27, 2025 Impossible to overstate what Masai means to the city. We achieved heights I literally did not think were possible as the lone Canadian franchise in the NBA. I don't know if we'll ever have another leader as impressive and passionate to represent us as him. Can't thank him enough. — K. –– Free Iran (@ThatPersianGuy) June 27, 2025 Ujiri was hired as Raptors vice-president and general manager back in 2013 to replace the maligned Bryan Colangelo and immediately helped turn the team into a consistent threat in the Eastern Conference with the team qualifying for the postseasons in seven straight seasons between 2013 and 2020. Ujiri was promoted to team president in 2016 and Webster took over the GM role in 2017. Ujiri's most notorious move was the infamous trade in the summer of 2018 that brought superstar Kawhi Leonard to the organization in exchange for franchise legend DeMar DeRozan — essentially paving the way for Toronto's championship run that same season. It's expected Ujiri will be coveted by plenty of NBA organizations and likely won't be out of work for long if he so chooses.
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
MASAI UJIRI EXITS RAPTORS: ‘Change is never easy'
Article content WATCH: MLSE President and CEO, Keith Pelley addresses media a following the departure of Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri. What do YOU think? Article content Article content Latest National Stories
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
MASAI UJIRI EXITS RAPTORS: ‘Change is never easy'
MLSE President and CEO, Keith Pelley addresses media at the Scotiabank Arena following the departure of Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri in Toronto, Ont. on Friday June 27, 2025. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia WATCH: MLSE President and CEO, Keith Pelley addresses media a following the departure of Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri. What do YOU think? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below or send us a Letter to the Editor for possible publication to . Letters must be 250 words or less and signed. And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Canada Music Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Raptors Toronto Raptors
