Dear reader,
Raptors president Masai Ujiri was ousted this week, a move that shocked Torontonians who still worship the man for bringing home the 2019 NBA championship. Ujiri spent 12 years with the Raptors, longer than any player in franchise history. At the time of his dismissal, he had a year left on his $15-million annual contract.
On Friday, MLSE CEO Keith Pelley claimed responsibility for the firing, saying the decision would allow a new president to bring the Raptors out of a years-long slump. Still, as we reported yesterday, rumours are swirling around other reasons for Ujiri’s exit—including his highly publicized spat with majority owner Edward Rogers.
As fans say their goodbyes, we’re revisiting a profile of Ujiri from the glory days of 2019—back when Toronto was buzzing from our first and only NBA title and the only feuds that mattered were playing out on the court.
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