- Masai Ujiri is the president of the Raptors.
- Isiah Thomas was once an owner of the Raptors.
- The Raptors are 100% owned by MLSE.
The Toronto Raptors swung for the fences when they traded for Kawhi Leonard in 2018, catapulting their NBA betting odds to win a championship near the top.
Vince Carter was a top candidate to start in All-Star Games on basketball betting lines during the 2000s, leading the league in voting four different times.
Let’s take a look at the successes and failures past and present owners have brought to the franchise.
Who Owns the Toronto Raptors?
The Raptors have been owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd since February 1998. It was founded by Conn Smythe in 1931.
Larry Tanenbaum is the chairman of MLSE, but unlike New York Knicks owner James Dolan, he isn’t viewed as the owner of the Raptors.
Since the Raptors don’t have a physical owner, decision-making is often left to the front office.
Masai Ujiri is currently the president of the Raptors, and Bobby Webster is the GM. Ujiri is more known to operate with logic than sentimentality, as he traded franchise icon DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard, in one of the biggest Toronto Raptors trades in franchise history.
Despite Leonard being considered the better player, the disgruntled forward wanted to be sent to his hometown of Los Angeles. As a result, Raptors fans were initially upset about the trade, questioning his desire to play in Toronto.
However, Leonard led the Raptors to their first championship in his lone season in “The 6” before signing with the Los Angeles Clippers, but “The Klaw” forever holds a special place in the hearts of the Canadian faithful after earning Finals MVP during a historic playoff run, making him one of the best Toronto Raptors players of all time.
Because of Ujiri’s boldness, he has earned the benefit of the doubt and the job security that others dream of.
Before MLSE bought 100% of the Raptors, they were owned by John Bitove, Allan Slaight, and Isiah Thomas.
Thomas, one of the best point guards ever, was also the GM until November 1997. Unfortunately, his basketball IQ didn’t translate into his GM role. His Toronto Raptors draft history is riddled with missing out on big names, including Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, and Steve Nash.
Richard Peddie was the president, and Glen Grunwald was the GM for the majority of Vince Carter’s time with the franchise.
“Air Canada” had some of his best dunks and highlights as a Raptor and helped make them a perennial playoff team, as his eye-popping aerial pursuits created an electric atmosphere at Air Canada Centre nightly.
Grunwald was fired in April 2004, towards the end of the “Vinsanity” era in Toronto, as he was ultimately replaced by Rob Babcock despite Carter preferring Julius Erving.
Babcock eventually shipped their face of the franchise to the New Jersey Nets for a package that didn’t amount to much. He was fired in January 2006 and later replaced by Bryan Colangelo in February 2006, who also served as president, replacing Peddie.
Colangelo helped Toronto get back to the playoffs in 2007 and 2008 with Chris Bosh leading the way, but despite adding big names, such as Jermaine O’Neal, Shawn Marion, and Hedo Türkoğlu, the Raptors were never able to get back to the playoffs with Bosh, who bolted to the Miami Heat in 2010 to join forces with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
Colangelo drafted DeRozan and traded for Kyle Lowry, so at least he gave the Raptors two pillars to work with before Ujiri took over in May 2013.
What Teams are Owned by MLSE?
Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), Toronto FC (MLS), Toronto Marlies (AHL), Raptors 905 (NBA G-League), and Toronto FC II (MLS Next Pro).
