Masai Ujiri Just Made a Massive Move in Women's Basketball and It Changes Everything

Masai Ujiri, the legendary Toronto Raptors president who brought the city its only NBA championship in 2019, has officially joined the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, the WNBA's newest franchise launching this season. Yeah, you read that right. One of basketball's sharpest minds just went all in on women's sports, and he's doing it in the same city where he built a dynasty.

A New Chapter After Stepping Away

It's been roughly a year since Ujiri left the Raptors, and he's spent that time doing something most NBA executives never get to do: actually being present for his family. He went from having a driver on speed dial for 12 years to being an Uber driver for his own kids to their sports practices. But don't mistake stepping back for stepping away. This guy has been grinding the entire time.

While most people would use a year off to just chill, Ujiri has been building sports infrastructure across Africa through Giants of Africa, working with the United Nations, and developing the Zaria Group. He just completed a sports city in Rwanda and is launching sports complexes in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Mauritania within weeks. The man doesn't know how to turn it off, and honestly, that's exactly what makes this ownership stake in the Tempo so intriguing.

Why This Matters

"I think women's sports is growing in an incredible way," Ujiri told ESPN. "You see it in the WNBA, in soccer, in hockey, and to bring a brand like this for a city that's passionate, that I believe in, I think this will really resonate."

He's joining an ownership group led by Larry Tanenbaum, the same guy he won that 2019 championship with. This isn't some passive investment either. Ujiri has big plans. He's been talking constantly with former Raptors players, coaches, and executives while studying trends across different leagues. His stated goal? Win a championship with the Tempo and get back to winning in the NBA, too. He wants another ring in the league, period.

For a city like Toronto and a league looking to grow, having someone with Ujiri's track record and ambition invested in your franchise is huge. The Tempo are getting a builder, not just a name on a letterhead.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.