On Wednesday, Masai Ujiri guarded with Kolin Murray BoylesDefensive dynamo Toronto rapter Was selected with the ninth pick in just 2025 NBA Draft“It’s great, we are very happy for you,” Uziri said to her.

At that time, however, Ujiri knew that he was not clinging around Murre-Boys to develop. According to Keith Pelé, Chairman and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, he was known for some time, that his tenure as the chairman of the raptors would not continue in the next session. It is extremely unusual for a team Announce the departure of its chief executive Straight after the draft, but Ujiri wanted to see this process.

“Why time now? So Masai and I talked to each other a month ago and asked if there was a change, whether it was a post-draft,” Peli told reporters on Friday“And it makes it the most understanding, not to disrupt the draft process. We were catching the ninth pick, a top -10 pick, and of course the field of masai -only its passion, but also the field of expertise, he comes to the draft. [Webster]He is leading our draft. ,

Pelli said that he and the Ujiri “about the future were probably chatting for the last few months, the last two or three months.” When asked directly when Uziri was told that he was done, Pelé said: “We spoke earlier this month.”

The General Manager of Toronto, webster, will now be among the candidates interviewed for the role of the President, Pelé said. Webster has signed a contract extension with the team – According to Michael Granz of SportsnetThis happened in the last few weeks – as the other members of the front office. Firing Uziri, who has run the front office since his hiring in 2013 (and first worked for the team under Brian Colngelo from 2007 to 2010), a massive change, but Pelé repeatedly used the word “stability” when he tried to convince the decision.

“The change is unavoidable,” said Pelé. “And what we really thought is, the current position of our team and the foundation that Masai has built was time to change. The roster is in place. All our players have been luxury and signed on the border. The front office has been renewed, including General Manager Bobby Webster. And we have great coaching stability led by Darko. [Rajakovic]So now we are going to draw our attention to the discovery of the president of a new team and we will work with CAA on this afternoon. ,

Ujiri was entering the final year of her contract. Last time he signed an extension in 2021, Edward Rogers, president of Rogers Communications, Allegedly tried to come in its wayUziri met with Rogers at Rogers Cottage that in July, Rogers called him and told him that he was not paying as much value as he was being paid, who used to harass Ujiri from the point he had considered to take a one -year holiday, According to Toronto Star,

Both parties have reduced the rifts reported over the years, but, since Rogers Communications reached a deal to buy a 37.5% stake in MLSE last September, there was speculation about Ujiri’s future with the franchise. On June 4, Rogers Communications Announced The deal was officially approved by the NBA (and four other sports leagues).

Asked whether it was his decision or Rogers’, Pelé said: “This was my decision, supported by the board.” When asked directly about Rogers’s role, he said that all board members “supply input”, but “they seek input and direction and strategy where the team is passing through its CEO.” Pelé said that, as the person accused all the teams of MLSE, it was eventually their call.

Toronto Maple Leafs is going without the president of a team Decision not to renew the contract of Brendon ShahanhanBut Pelé said that the position of the raptors is different as they are in the middle of a reconstruction. Ujiri’s successor needs to be “an experienced, prominent, strong, successful personality”, “said Pelly.

Pelli did not directly answer a question about the role that was played with Ujiri, allegedly one of the highest-paying officers of the league.

“I think there are major factors that go to this big decision,” he said. “But the primary reason in this case was the situation and where we are currently in basketball operation. As I spoke, stability with our roster, stability with our front office and stability with our coaching staff. And this allowed us to decide to move forward.”

It was a strange press conference, and it is a strange situation. Ujiri is dear to Toronto, who had won only one playoff chain in their existence, promising to bring a championship to the city – and the country – and really shut down it. Pelli essentially argued that Ujiri had done such a good job with the infrastructure of the raptors that he no longer needed them. He “seized the opportunity,” he said, to build on a solid foundation, “so one is coming in the middle of reconstruction and hopefully it will grow rapidly and will quickly bring us to a new level.”

The draft was an important offsen for Toronto. All signals point to the team Trying to take a big step forward After finishing 30-52 and recalled the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five sessions. Now, bizarrely, while the front office seeks ways to improve the roster, the ownership will find someone to lead the front office.