Playtime is over for Toronto basketball. Masai Ujiri — the ‘architect’ behind the Toronto Raptors — led the team to their 2019 championship, and is now stepping into a crucial new role as Principal owner of the Toronto Tempo WNBA team. It’s a role that will reshape what the sport means in one of the most diverse cities in the world. Ujiri’s impact goes beyond the court; from team building to community development and global equity, his work continues to push sport towards something greater.
Powerhouse in Progress
Bringing his extensive resume to the Toronto Tempo, Ujiri joins a well-established team including Serena Williams, and several other MLSE veterans. Having taken over as president of the Raptors during a bleak chapter, Ujiri’s tenure turned him into one of the most respected executives in basketball. He decided against trading Lowry, and opted to build a strong core around the players.
Ujiri isn’t someone who picks the popular choice. After he traded DeRozan — the longest-tenured Raptor, — and replaced head coach Dwane Casey, an unravelling seemed inevitable. Yet Ujiri had a vision — albeit a risky one — that proved successful. With Nick Nurse taking over as coach and adding players (Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol), the puzzle was complete.
When not involved in the (W)NBA, he devotes his time towards Giants of Africa: an organization working towards youth empowerment. Hosting camps and building courts across Africa, their mission is to help youth reach their potential.
Toronto: A New Epicentre for the WNBA’s Ground-Breaking Growth
It’s no secret that historically, women’s professional sport has been underrepresented. This issue isn’t exclusive to just basketball: Across the board, media coverage and brand opportunities are far more accessible to male athletes. But with Tempo as the very first WNBA team in Canada, that could change. In addition to Ujiri’s new role as Tempo co-owner, a new mentorship program has been born. Tempo Rising seeks to foster global community, gender equity, and develop up-and-coming female and non-binary leaders in sport.
With Ujiri on board, a new franchise is taking shape — one that not only prioritizes championship status, but bridges sport and community. As an advocate for women’s equality, Ujiri has high hopes that this new team will greatly resonate with Toronto fans and those around the world. Becoming a co-owner of Tempo, then, was part of a calculated strategy to push Canadian culture forward and pave the way for women in sports.
The Details Behind Toronto Tempo’s Debut
The ball will drop on April 29th for the team’s first preseason game, an official marker that Toronto is cooking up a new champion.
Given that this is Tempo’s first season, an expansion draft is set to take place in the coming weeks. Because of both the team’s debut and Ujiri’s debut as a co-owner, there are speculations on how the season will truly unfold. With the expansion, there will be a blend of seasoned players and up-and-comers. But bringing in new blood was the Raptors’ signature strategy, so it’s natural for Tempo to embrace the same ideal.
If Ujiri did it once, he is absolutely the man to do it again. The Toronto Tempo are in good hands with Ujiri — the man who rebuilt the Raptors from the ground up. Driven by an insatiable hunger for both victory and an equal playing field, Torontonians and basketball fans alike will rally for the next defining Canadian team.
