Masai Ujiri out: MLSE CEO defends decision to oust Toronto Raptors President

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Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President and CEO Keith Pelley spoke Friday after the dismissal of Toronto Raptors President and Vice Chairman Masai Ujiri earlier in the day, saying “Today, is not an easy day… but change is never easy.” Pelley described Ujiri’s impact on the team and the city as “monumental.”

“Masai and I spoke over a month ago and he asked if a change were to happen, that it was post-draft. And that made the most sense — not to disrupt the draft process,” Pelley said. “The roster is in place. At the luxury tax limit. The front office is renewed, including General Manager Bobby Webster and we have great coaching stability led by Darko.”

“The primary reason, in this case (of letting Masai go), was the situation and where we currently are in basketball operations,” Pelley said when asked if finances were behind the decision.

He said their attention now turns to finding a new team president who will lead the basketball operations side. Pelley said Webster will be a candidate for the team president role.

Asked if team owner Edward Rogers was behind the decision, Pelley firmly stated “This was my decision, supported by the board."

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