Masai Ujiri Returns to Toronto Basketball as Co-Owner of WNBA's Tempo
In a significant development for Canadian sports, Masai Ujiri, the mastermind behind the Toronto Raptors' historic 2019 NBA championship, has reunited with longtime business partner Larry Tanenbaum as a principal owner of the WNBA's expansion franchise, the Toronto Tempo. The announcement was made official on Tuesday morning, marking Ujiri's return to the Toronto sports landscape after his departure from the Raptors organization last June.
A Powerful Ownership Alliance Forms
The Toronto Tempo revealed that Ujiri will join Tanenbaum's Kilmer Sports Ventures ownership group, which already includes tennis legend Serena Williams as a fellow principal owner. This move solidifies a formidable leadership team for the new WNBA franchise set to begin play this May. Tanenbaum, who has been the public face of the Tempo ownership through Kilmer Sports Ventures, expressed enthusiasm about Ujiri's involvement, highlighting their longstanding professional relationship and shared values.
"Masai's leadership, his vision, and his deep belief in the power of sport make him an extraordinary addition to our ownership group," Tanenbaum stated in an official release. "In his role as a principal owner, his influence and values align perfectly with what the Tempo stands for — equity, excellence, and purpose."
Ujiri's Vision for Women's Basketball
Ujiri, widely regarded as one of basketball's most respected executives and visionaries, emphasized his commitment to advancing women's sports through this new role. "As an honourary Canadian, I'm excited to be part of the Tempo team as I believe they are building something truly historic — a franchise that represents not only Canada, but the future of basketball," Ujiri declared.
The former Raptors president outlined his ambitious goals for the franchise, stating: "I believe deeply in the vision behind the Tempo: Creating female leaders, elevating women not just on the court, but across the organization, and building championship culture from day one. This is more than just a new team — it's a defining moment in women's basketball globally."
Expanding the Ownership Circle
The Tempo ownership group extends beyond Ujiri, Tanenbaum, and Williams to include several other prominent figures:
- Geoff Molson and France Margaret Belanger, owners of the Montreal Canadiens
- Entertainer and comedian Lilly Singh
- Technology executive Sukhinder Singh Cassidy
This diverse ownership collective represents a significant investment in women's professional sports in Canada and demonstrates broad support for the WNBA's expansion into the Toronto market.
Tempo Rising: A Coaching Mentorship Initiative
As part of his involvement, Ujiri will spearhead Tempo Rising, an innovative global coaching mentorship program launching in collaboration with the franchise. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to support emerging women-identifying and non-binary coaches at the introduction-to-competition level who are shaping basketball's future in their communities.
The program will provide exclusive access to mentorship, professional development, and hands-on coaching experiences under the guidance of Ujiri alongside General Manager Monica Wright Rogers and Head Coach Sandy Brondello. The focus will be on value-driven coaching, community impact, and long-term growth within the sport.
Ujiri's Future Ambitions and Reflections
In an interview with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Ujiri revealed that despite his busy schedule since leaving the Raptors—which included family time in Miami and continued work with his Giants of Africa foundation—he maintains regular contact with NBA personnel and anticipates returning to an NBA front office role eventually.
"I've been learning more about our game, the NBA, looking at trends and what we might be missing by studying other leagues," Ujiri explained. "I spend a lot of my time trying to do that because one of my main goals is to win another championship. I want to win with the Tempo and I want to win another NBA championship."
The executive also addressed personal motivations stemming from past challenges, including harassment he experienced in Oakland in 2019 and subsequent legal proceedings. "There's a hunger in me because of what happened," Ujiri acknowledged. "I want to win again so I can actually enjoy it."
Franchise Connections and Expansion Timeline
Ujiri's involvement with the Tempo comes as no surprise given his close relationship with Tanenbaum and existing connections within the organization. Team President Teresa Resch, who worked prominently in Ujiri's Raptors front office for years and considers him a mentor, provides additional continuity between the two Toronto basketball franchises.
Speculation has also emerged about potential future involvement from Raptors legend Kyle Lowry, though no official announcements have been made regarding additional ownership or operational roles.
The Toronto Tempo will officially join the WNBA this season, with the expansion draft for both Toronto and Portland scheduled for this Friday. The team's inaugural season begins in May, marking a new chapter for professional women's basketball in Canada and positioning the Tempo as a potential model for franchise development and community engagement in the evolving sports landscape.
