Name: Contract extension for Raptors president Masai Ujiri remains priority, MLSE chairman says
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Contract extension for Raptors president Masai Ujiri remains priority, MLSE chairman says

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close This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To orderpresentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distributionto colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire aboutpermissions/licensing, please go to: There is a plan, and a time and a place for everything, and Larry Tanenbaum and president Masai Ujiri are working at their own pace on all of it.The long-term future of Ujiri, whose contract runs out at the end of next season, is a growing concern among the team’s fans but Tanenbaum knows there is no need to rush. There are other priorities, as Ujiri spelled out last week.“Our fans, they love Masai for all that he’s contributed to the Raptors franchise and to our community and to our country — and our appreciation for him, that can’t be measured,” Tanenbaum, the chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said in an interview Tuesday. “But it was his and my game plan to secure his management team extension before his own.”That plan is halfway complete with coach Nick Nurse and plans are being finalized on a new deal for general manager Bobby Webster.Then, and only then, will the focus shift to Ujiri, whose importance is not lost on his boss.“We have time and we’re going to work through the process in the right time and the right way, I know that for sure,” Tanenbaum said. “He’s so incredibly caring and he’s an important person for the world to understand. It’s not only the Raptors.”The plan to take care of others on the senior management team first was actually hatched more than a year ago, Tanenbaum said. And it was delayed when a global pandemic got in the way.“We just let everything rest because after that (2019 NBA championship) parade and the whole thing, everybody had to catch their breath,” the chairman said. “It was an incredible summer and then I sat down with Masai in September and that was our game plan.”Then when the pandemic took over in March, there were other priorities.“Masai is getting it done (with Nurse and Webster) and we, too, will get it done.”And even before then, the chase is on for another NBA title.“The beauty of sports is each year you’re competing again for a championship,” Tanenbaum said. “I said this to Nick Nurse: We’re not defending our championship, we’re going out and getting another championship, another trophy.“You just don’t defend, you attack.”Read more about: JOIN THE CONVERSATION Q:Are you a Raptors fan worried about Masai Ujiri's contract extension? Share your thoughts.Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be registered Torstar account holder. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free)Sign InRegisterConversations are opinions of our readers and are subject to the . The Star does not endorse these opinions.Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. Allrights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content isexpressly prohibited without the prior written consent of TorontoStar Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies ofToronto Star articles, please go to:

close This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To orderpresentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distributionto colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire aboutpermissions/licensing, please go to: There is a plan, and a time and a place for everything, and Larry Tanenbaum and president Masai Ujiri are working at their own pace on all of it.The long-term future of Ujiri, whose contract runs out at the end of next season, is a growing concern among the team’s fans but Tanenbaum knows there is no need to rush. There are other priorities, as Ujiri spelled out last...

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Doug Smith

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Contract extension for Raptors president Masai Ujiri remains priority, MLSE chairman says

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