Sheriff's Deputy Alan Strickland Drops Lawsuit Against Raptors' Masai Ujiri

Alameda County sheriff's deputy Alan Strickland dropped his lawsuit against Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri on Tuesday relating to a confrontation between the two men at Oracle Arena during the NBA Finals in 2019, per KTVU's Lisa Fernandez.

In turn, Ujiri dropped his countersuit against Strickland. 

A spokesperson for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment said the following in a statement:

"Masai has been completely vindicated, as we always knew he would be. We are disappointed that he and his family have had to endure the past 18 months of worry and uncertainty, but for their sake we are pleased the legal process has come to an end—and especially pleased that the claims made against Masai and MLSE were dismissed entirely, free of any financial settlement."

Following Toronto's Game 6 win over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals to win the title, Ujiri said he was attempting to get on the court to celebrate with the team when Strickland told him to "back the f--k up" and pushed him twice. Ujiri said he was attempting to show his "all-access credential" when he was shoved. 

Both body camera footage (warning: contains profanity) and surveillance video showed Strickland shoving Ujiri twice. The Alameda County District Attorney did not charge Ujiri with any crime, and Strickland sued the Raptors' president of basketball operations, claiming he was the victim of assault and battery. 

Strickland claimed that Ujiri didn't show proper credentials and was attempting to bypass the security checkpoint. He said he suffered jaw injuries in the exchange and still gets migraines, and while the video appeared to show Ujiri push Strickland after being shoved the second time, it did not show any evidence of Strickland suffering injuries. 

Alameda County Sheriff's spokesman Ray Kelly said Strickland—who had not worked in the 16 months following the incident and was claiming worker's compensation—has returned to the department in an administrative duties role.