Former Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has joined the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, the city's new WNBA franchise launching this season. Ujiri, who helped lead the Raptors to their only NBA championship in 2019, is partnering with Larry Tanenbaum, his former boss from that championship run.

Ujiri's move comes after a year away from the NBA, during which he focused on family and his work with Giants of Africa, building sports infrastructure across the continent. "I think women's sports is growing in an incredible way," Ujiri told ESPN. "To bring a brand like this for the first time to a city that I know, a beautiful city that's passionate, that I believe in -- I think this will really resonate."

The Tempo marks Ujiri's return to Toronto basketball, where he'll work alongside executives Teresa Resch and Monica Wright Rogers, both longtime colleagues. Ujiri is also launching Tempo Rising, a global coaching mentorship program for women-identifying and non-binary coaches. His championship hunger remains strong after the 2019 title celebration was marred by a controversial incident with law enforcement, driving his desire to win again.