Masai Ujiri Becomes Principal Owner Of New WNBA Franchise Toronto Tempo

Masai Ujiri, who was once the president of the Toronto Raptors, has joined the WNBA ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, which is scheduled to start play this upcoming season.

The new franchise announced Ujiri as a principal owner of the Tempo.

“As an honorary Canadian, I’m excited to be part of the Tempo team as I believe they are building something truly historic — a franchise that represents not only Canada, but the future of basketball,” said Ujiri in a written statement. “I believe deeply in the vision behind the Tempo: creating female leaders, elevating women not just on the court, but across the organization, and building championship culture from day one. This is more than just a new team — it’s a defining moment in women’s basketball globally.”

Ujiri was responsible for helping build the team that took home the Toronto Raptors’ 2019 NBA Championship. He has also committed to helping women in sports through Tempo Rising, a global coaching mentorship program in partnership with Ujiri and the Tempo organization. The initiative will help emerging women-identifying and non-binary coaches excel at their craft within their communities. The program will give those prospective coaches exclusive access to mentorship, professional development, and hands-on coaching experiences. Ujiri, General Manager Monica Wright Rogers, and head coach Sandy Brondello will lead it with a focus on value-driven coaching, community impact, and long-term growth. Anyone who is interested in applying can click here for information.

“Masai’s leadership, his vision, and his deep belief in the power of sport make him an extraordinary addition to our ownership group,” said Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures. “In his role as a Principal Owner, his influence and values align perfectly with what the Tempo stands for — equity, excellence, and purpose. Together, we will continue to build a franchise that reflects the best of what sport can do for communities here in Canada and around the world.”

The team is the league’s 14th franchise and the first outside the United States.

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