Former Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has joined the ownership group of the WNBA's Toronto Tempo, according to reports from ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
The addition of Ujiri to the ownership group brings significant basketball expertise to Toronto's new WNBA franchise. Ujiri served as president of basketball operations for the Toronto Raptors from 2013 to 2021, leading the organization to its first NBA championship in 2019.
WNBA Expansion to Toronto
The Toronto Tempo represents the WNBA's expansion into the Canadian market, marking the league's first franchise outside the United States since the league's founding in 1996. The team is part of the WNBA's broader expansion efforts as the league continues to grow in popularity and reach.
Ujiri's Basketball Background
During his tenure with the Raptors, Ujiri was instrumental in building the championship team, including the acquisition of key players like Kawhi Leonard. He previously served as general manager of the Denver Nuggets and has been recognized as NBA Executive of the Year.
Before his NBA executive career, Ujiri played professional basketball internationally and has maintained strong connections to global basketball development, particularly through his work with the Giants of Africa foundation.
The ownership structure and Ujiri's specific role within the Toronto Tempo organization have not been detailed in available reports. The WNBA has been expanding its footprint in recent years, with the league adding new franchises as interest in women's professional basketball continues to grow.
