Ex-Raptors Prez Masai Ujiri Joins Ownership Group of WNBA's Toronto Tempo Ahead of Expansion Draft

Ahead of the WNBA expansion draft on Friday, the Toronto Tempo have added Masai Ujiri to their ownership group.

The Tempo announced on Tuesday that Ujiri, who spent 12 years in the front office for the NBA's Toronto Raptors, has joined the franchise as a principal owner.

Ujiri spoke about this new opportunity with the first WNBA club in Canada to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne:

"I think women's sports is growing in an incredible way. You see it in the WNBA, in soccer, in hockey, and to bring a brand like this for the first time to a city that I know, a beautiful city that's passionate, that I believe in—I think this will really resonate. Ownership is a unique opportunity for me and my family."

Larry Tanenbaum is the primary owner of the Tempo, with Serena Williams also having a stake in the franchise.

A Toronto native, Tanenbaum has been a key presence in bringing new professional sports teams to the city. He is the chairman emeritus of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and is a minority owner of the Raptors.

Ujiri and Tanenbaum worked together with the Raptors during Ujiri's tenure with the franchise that began in 2013 when he was hired as executive vice president and general manager.

The Raptors promoted Ujiri to president of basketball operations in 2016. He was widely credited as the main architect of the 2018-19 team that defeated the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals for the franchise's first championship.

Ujiri and the Raptors announced a parting of ways in June 2025. This will mark the 55-year-old's first venture into sports ownership. In addition to Tanenbaum, Ujiri will also be working alongside team president Teresa Resch and general manager Monica Wright Rogers.

Resch spent 11 seasons working with the Raptors from 2013 to '24. Rogers was previously the assistant general manager with the Phoenix Mercury prior to being hired by the Tempo in February 2025.

The WNBA awarded Toronto an expansion franchise in May 2024. The Tempo and Portland Fire will play their debut seasons in 2026, with a two-round expansion draft scheduled for Friday.

Toronto will tipoff its inaugural season hosting the Washington Mystics at the Coca-Cola Coliseum on May 8.