The Toronto Raptors and president and vice-chairman Masai Ujiri have officially parted ways, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment announced on Friday.
Ujiri ran the franchise for 12 years, which included guiding the Raptors to the team’s first-ever NBA title in 2019.
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“Masai has helped transform the organization on the court and has been an inspirational leader off it,” said MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley.
“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.”
MLSE makes the move with one year remaining on Ujiri’s contract.
Ujiri’s exit comes one day after the end of the NBA’s draft and before the start of free agency on Monday.
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The reported dismissal continues MLSE’s trend of moving on from team presidents — Brendan Shanahan was let go last month by the Maple Leafs, and Bill Manning was shown the door last year by both Toronto FC and the Argonauts.
Ujiri guided the Raptors to their lone NBA title after a series of bold moves, including trading star DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard and firing coach Dwane Casey in favour of Nick Nurse.
Under Ujiri, the Raptors made the playoffs seven straight seasons from 2013-14 to 2019-20.
An assistant general manager in Toronto in 2008 before taking over as GM of the Denver Nuggets, Ujiri was rehired by the Raptors to run basketball operations in May 2013.
More to come.