Nigeria-born basketball executive, Masai Ujiri, has taken a significant step into women’s professional basketball, joining the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo as a Principal Owner.
Renowned globally for his impact on the sport, Ujiri rose to prominence after leading the Toronto Raptors to their 2019 NBA Championship.
He is also the founder of Giants of Africa, an initiative dedicated to using sport as a tool to empower communities and foster leadership, inclusion, and opportunity, especially for women.
In his new role with Toronto Tempo, Ujiri is expected to bring the same vision to women’s basketball in Canada and beyond, while mentoring the next generation of leaders in the sport.
“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,” Ujiri said.
“I believe deeply in the vision behind the Tempo: creating female leaders, elevating women not just on the court, but across the organisation, and building a championship culture from day one. This is more than just a new team — it’s a defining moment in women’s basketball globally.”
Ujiri’s commitment to gender equity in sports is also reflected in the newly launched Tempo Rising programme, a global mentorship initiative created in partnership with the club.
The initiative is aimed at supporting emerging women-identifying and non-binary coaches at the grassroots level, providing mentorship, training, and hands-on coaching experience.
Participants in Tempo Rising will receive guidance from Ujiri, General Manager Monica Wright Rogers, and Head Coach Sandy Brondello, with a focus on community impact, values-driven leadership, and long-term growth.
Commenting on the announcement, Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures, praised Ujiri’s addition to the ownership group.
“Masai’s leadership, his vision, and his deep belief in the power of sport make him an extraordinary addition to our ownership group,” Tanenbaum said.
“In his role as a Principal Owner, his influence and values align perfectly with what 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.”
Ujiri joins the franchise alongside tennis icon Serena Williams, further raising the profile of the team as it prepares to make its mark in the WNBA.
