Masai Ujiri Joins Serena Williams as WNBA Owner

Masai Ujiri, a prominent figure in global basketball and best known for his role with the Toronto Raptors, has joined tennis great Serena Williams as a principal owner of the Toronto Tempo, a WNBA expansion team. This franchise will be the first WNBA team based outside the United States, set to debut in 2026.

Ujiri, who was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian and Kenyan parents and raised in Nigeria, is recognized for his commitment to youth empowerment through sports. He expressed excitement about being part of the Tempo team, emphasizing the importance of building a championship culture and elevating women in sports.

Ujiri's involvement will also include launching a global coaching mentorship program aimed at supporting emerging women and non-binary coaches at the grassroots level. The Tempo franchise, awarded to the WNBA in 2024, will be the league's 14th team, marking a significant step in the global growth of women's basketball.