More than half a decade after the June 2019 incident, Masai Ujiri was referring to the moment when, after the Toronto Raptors won the title at Oracle Arena, he was stopped by a San Francisco-area sheriff’s deputy over credentials while trying to get onto the court.
The interaction quickly escalated into a brief shoving incident captured on video. The fallout turned it into a major controversy. The deputy sued Ujiri for assault, while Ujiri countersued, saying the footage showed the officer was “undeniably the initial aggressor.” He also stated he would not have been treated that way if he were not Black.
Years later, that moment still sticks with him, not just as a controversy, but as fuel driving what comes next.
How Unfinished Business From 2019 Drives Masai Ujiri’s WNBA Move
Ujiri’s move into the WNBA with the Toronto Tempo is not just a business decision. It is closely tied to a moment that still defines his memory of the Raptors’ 2019 championship.
Looking back, Ujiri has made it clear that the altercation with a sheriff’s deputy took away from what should have been one of the happiest moments of his career. That feeling has stayed with him and is now driving what he wants to do next.
Speaking about his goals, Ujiri said he wants to win again, not just in the NBA but also with the Tempo. He admitted the incident created a “hunger in me” and continues to push him to get back to that stage and experience it differently.
“I want to win another championship, I want to win with the Tempo and another NBA title because I wasn’t able to celebrate (the Raptors 2019 title) because of the police incident that happened,” Ujiri said.
Masai Ujiri joins ownership of the Toronto Tempo & tells ESPN, “I want to win another championship—I want to win with the Tempo and another NBA title because I wasn’t able to celebrate (the Raptors 2019 title) because of the police incident that happened.” https://t.co/PlxRPOlJTY
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) March 31, 2026
Ujiri’s journey also comes after a major career shift, with the Raptors parting ways with him after over a decade with the franchise. Even then, his legacy as the architect of Toronto’s only NBA championship remains firmly intact.
His move into the WNBA also comes at a time when the league is growing fast, and Toronto’s new team is a big step forward.
Ujiri’s move into the WNBA comes with the Tempo, a new expansion team backed by MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum, part of the Raptors’ 2019 ownership group. His involvement signals that the Tempo is more than a typical expansion team, but a serious long-term investment as the league continues to grow.
When Ujiri says he wants to “win again so I can actually enjoy it,” it sums up this new chapter. Whether it is with the Tempo or someday back in the NBA, his goal is simple. He wants another chance to celebrate the right way.
With the Tempo and future NBA ambitions ahead, he is chasing a moment where the celebration is finally his to fully enjoy. But the question remains: Will that next championship truly give him the closure he’s been chasing all along?
