March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\nTanenbaum\u2019s holding company, Kilmer Sports Ventures, was awarded a WNBA franchise in May 2024. Since then, an eclectic mix of athletes, celebrities, and businesspeople have bought into Tempo\u2019s ownership.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ujiri said he\u2019s excited to learn from the diverse group.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Larry has done a great job of bringing the right people in and identifying what the fans and the players and the community and everybody that\u2019s part of it together to see how we can keep everybody involved,\u201d said Ujiri, who became a principal owner along with Williams. \u201cI\u2019m just happy to be with this group of people.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust hearing the passionate voices of these people, it makes you want to go and watch this team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ujiri has long-standing ties with Tanenbaum, Tempo President Teresa Resch<\/p>\n
Tanenbaum, who worked closely with Ujiri when he was with the Raptors, said that he brings more than just basketball knowledge to the Tempo.<\/p>\n
\u201cMasai\u2019s leadership, his vision, and his deep belief in the power of sport make him an extraordinary addition to our ownership group,\u201d said Tanenbaum in a statement. \u201cIn his role as a principal owner, his influence and values align perfectly with what the Tempo stands for \u2014 equity, excellence, and purpose.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ujiri became the Denver Nuggets general manager and executive vice-president in charge of basketball operations in 2010, making him the first African GM in major American sports. He was named the NBA Executive of the Year in 2013.<\/p>\n
Later that year, Ujiri signed on as GM of the Raptors, getting promoted to team president in 2016 and building the roster that won the 2019 NBA championship. He parted ways with the Raptors last June.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving worked with him for 10 years in Raptors leadership, understanding how he sees team building, both on the court and off, I know that that\u2019s going to be a huge benefit for us,\u201d said Tempo team president Teresa Resch, who was part of the Raptors\u2019 front office for 11 seasons. \u201cHe\u2019s definitely planning on being a hands-on owner in a way that can be a really valuable resource.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ujiri also launched Tempo Rising \u2014 a global coaching mentorship program \u2014 on Tuesday in collaboration with the Tempo. A first-of-its-kind initiative, it will support women-identifying and non-binary coaches at the introduction-to-competition level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The program will offer exclusive access to mentorship, professional development, and hands-on coaching experiences, guided by Ujiri alongside Tempo general manager Monica Wright Rogers and head coach Sandy Brondello.<\/p>\n
Ujiri said he was happy to help the women\u2019s sports movement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the sky is the limit for what can be done here,\u201d said Ujiri. \u201cTeresa, Sandy and Monica and all these guys are going to run with this. I think we have the best of the best in the business managing, coaching and running this team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhenever my two cents are needed, I\u2019ll be there for them. I think there\u2019s going to be a real global impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Tempo will host their first regular-season game against the Washington Mystics on May 8 at Coca-Cola Coliseum.<\/p>\n
Toronto will start building its roster on Friday as the WNBA holds an expansion draft for the Tempo and the Portland Fire. Ujiri joked that as an owner, selecting players was no longer his problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not trying to do (Resch and Wright Rogers) jobs,\u201d laughed Ujiri. \u201cI\u2019m not in a hurry to do it, but I am excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
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