Masai Ujiri is one of the main culprits that the Toronto Raptors have managed to establish the strong basketball culture that made them champions in 2019. The general manager is one of the most acclaimed executives in the NBA environment, and this is demonstrated by the new contract signed a few years ago. months. However, his renovation was not a bed of roses, and the continuous obstacles made him consider a year away from the offices.
The information comes from a report exclusive to Toronto Star. According to the local media, the problem arises from one of the parties that owns the Raptors. The Canadian franchise is wholly owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a conglomerate of companies dedicated to the training industry. One of them is Rogers Communication, which owns 37.5% of MLSE and whose CEO, Edward Rogers, was the main objector to Ujiri’s renewal. The other two legs of the property are ECB Inc. with 37.5% (competition from Rogers) and Kilmer Gropup with 25%. By mid-July, Ujiri’s signing had turned into a battle between Rogers and Larry Tenenbaun, owner of Kilmer and governor of the Raptors. Tenenbaun also had the support of Bell, owner of ECB.
The point that Rogers wielded was that the amount offered to Ujiri was excessive, in addition to being convinced that he could handle the Raptors in his absence and based on the figure of Bobby Webster, general manager under the Masai mandate. Rogers he even appealed to Adam Silver, who ended up designating Tenenbaun as the bearer of the last word. Frustrated, the businessman personally called Ujiri to tell him that he was not worth what they were going to pay for him, prompting the president of operations to consider resigning.
In the same report it is also revealed that Ujiri’s new contract will bring him 15 million dollars a year and that an anonymous franchisee came to offer him 3% of the property and a raise in salary. Last Sunday, Rogers declared his respect for the manager, and condemned the people who had leaked the information.
(Cover photo by Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images)