Masai Ujiri Bids Farewell to Toronto Raptors in YouTube Video

Former Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri bid farewell to fans in a YouTube video, thanking the organization, fans, and players for their support. Ujiri was fired in June after over a decade with the team, including leading the Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2018-19. He mentioned his family's base in Toronto and the city's significance to him and his kids, and hinted at potential future involvement with basketball in Toronto.

Title: Masai Ujiri's Farewell to Toronto Raptors: A Decade of Success and Change

Toronto, Canada – Former Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri bid farewell to fans in a YouTube video, thanking the organization, fans, and players for their support. Ujiri was fired in June after over a decade with the team, including leading the Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2018-19. He mentioned his family's base in Toronto and the city's significance to him and his kids, hinting at potential future involvement with basketball in Toronto.

Ujiri's tenure began in 2013 as the general manager of the Raptors, a position he held until his recent departure. Under his leadership, the Raptors achieved seven consecutive playoff appearances, including a historic championship run in 2018-19. The team's success was marked by key moves such as trading DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, which proved pivotal in securing the championship [2].

However, the Raptors' performance has been inconsistent since winning the title. In the 2024-25 season, the team finished 30-52 under second-year head coach Darko Rajaković, and has missed the playoffs each of the past three years. The team's front office leadership remains in place, with extensions for key personnel, including general manager Bobby Webster, as Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) prepares for the upcoming free agency period [2].

Ujiri's departure comes amidst significant organizational changes. Rogers Communications Inc. recently acquired BCE Inc.'s stake in MLSE, making Rogers the majority owner of the company that controls the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Argonauts, and Toronto FC. This acquisition expands Rogers' sports portfolio, which already includes the Toronto Blue Jays, Rogers Centre, and Sportsnet [3].

In his farewell video, Ujiri expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had in Toronto and his family's connection to the city. He hinted at potential future involvement with basketball in Toronto, mentioning the Raptors' WNBA team, the Toronto Tempo, which is set to debut in the 2025 season. Ujiri's dreams of a second championship remain alive, and he suggested that his next chapter in basketball will continue his commitment to the sport globally [1].

Ujiri's departure marks a significant shift in the Raptors' leadership, but the team's future remains uncertain. With key personnel in place and a new majority owner, the Raptors will need to navigate the upcoming season and beyond to regain their competitive edge.

References

[1] https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/masai-ujiri-farewell-toronto-raptors-1.7578839
[2] https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/raptors/2025/06/27/toronto-raptors-masai-ujiri-out-vice-chairman-president/84383873007/
[3] https://www.cbc.ca/sports/rogers-communications-closes-deal-owner-mlse-1.7575488