Masai Ujiri has officially departed as vice-chairman and president of the Toronto Raptors, marking the end of a transformative more than decade-long tenure that notably delivered the franchise's first NBA championship. The news was confirmed on Friday, June 27, 2025, just a day after the NBA Draft, with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) calling a news conference for 1 p.m. ET to announce the decision. Ujiri was heading into the final year of his contract, and his dismissal continues a recent trend by MLSE of moving on from team presidents, following Brendan Shanahan from the Maple Leafs and Bill Manning from Toronto FC and the Argonauts.

Ujiri, who was an assistant general manager in Toronto in 2008 before becoming GM of the Denver Nuggets, was rehired by the Raptors in May 2013 to run basketball operations. Under his leadership, the Raptors evolved from a team lacking identity into a respected global brand. His tenure was characterized by a series of bold and often risky moves, including the trade of Rudy Gay which improved team chemistry, and the blockbuster 2018 trade that sent fan-favorite DeMar DeRozan to the Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. He also replaced coach Dwane Casey with Nick Nurse, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to winning. These strategic decisions culminated in the Raptors defeating the Golden State Warriors in six games to clinch the 2019 NBA Finals, a historic victory that brought immense pride to Toronto and Canada.

Beyond the championship, Ujiri fostered a robust player development pipeline, including the launch of Raptors 905, the team’s G-League affiliate. Players like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and Scottie Barnes all became cornerstones of the franchise through his leadership and the front office's focus on work ethic, versatility, and team-first mentality. Under Ujiri, the Raptors made seven straight playoff appearances from the 2013-14 to the 2019-20 seasons, even finishing with the league's second-best record in the pandemic-interrupted 2019-20 season after Leonard's departure.

Despite the initial post-championship success, the last few seasons have been challenging for the Raptors. After Kawhi Leonard left for the Los Angeles Clippers, and key players like Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet also moved on, Ujiri initiated a rebuild. This involved trading longtime forwards Pascal Siakam to Indiana and O.G. Anunoby to New York. The team missed the post-season in four of the last five years, including the last three, posting records of 25-57 in 2023-24 and 30-52 last season. MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley acknowledged Ujiri's impact, stating, “He brought an NBA Championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done.” However, a growing sense that the team needed a fresh direction and a new voice, coupled with shifts in MLSE ownership (Bell Canada pulling back its stake while Rogers Communications tightened its hold, and the exit of strong Ujiri supporter Larry Tanenbaum), likely contributed to the decision.

The announcement of Ujiri's departure sent shockwaves through the NBA and among Raptors fans. Superfan Nav Bhatia expressed his surprise and gratitude for Ujiri's impact on basketball culture in Canada. MLSE confirmed that general manager Bobby Webster's contract has been extended, and he will guide the team through its next phase of rebuilding, with a search for Ujiri’s successor as president of the Raptors beginning immediately, led by CAA Executive Search. While Ujiri's next steps are unclear, with rumors of interest from teams like the Atlanta Hawks, his legacy in Toronto remains secure. He transformed the Raptors into champions, established them as a respected global brand, and advocated for social justice and basketball's growth in Africa, leaving an indelible mark on the franchise and the sport.