Bobby Webster will continue as Toronto's general manager and head of basketball operations after an extension, with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment backing a stable leadership path as no team president is named this off-season.

In a shift following Masai Ujiri's dismissal, Webster is positioned as the primary front-office voice, while Calgary hosts fall camp and a Vancouver preseason opener against Denver, underscoring a practical build toward the coming season and continued roster development.

The Toronto Raptors face a leadership vacancy after Masai Ujiri’s surprising departure, with MLSE aiming to install a basketball-minded chief well before training camp. Interviews conducted during Summer League in Las Vegas and an MLSE retreat led by Edward Rogers hint at a discreet, urgency-driven process that prioritizes basketball acumen and a clear autonomy framework. Internal options loom large as the organization weighs continuity against a broader reset, and the timing points to a late-September announcement or soon after Labour Day. The candidate pool includes familiar Raptors veterans and outside executives, each viewed through the prism of how they’ll shape roster decisions, cap management, and the Canada-driven talent pipeline.

Inside candidates Bobby Webster and Dwane Casey are front-and-center for continuity and cultural fit, while Marc Eversley and Kevin Pritchard surface as potentially transformative outsiders with strong front-office résumés. Edward Rogers and the MLSE board emphasize a leadership that speaks for the basketball side first, with autonomy and a rebuild-ready mandate. The choice will influence not just the bench or draft strategy but the franchise’s brand and market narrative as Toronto seeks to reclaim Eastern Conference relevance. The moment demands a leader who can bridge long-term development with immediate competitive trajectories, preserving the Raptors’ identity while steering the next chapter.

Masai Ujiri is steering Zaria Group’s first hotel in Kigali, a $26 million project that anchors an 80-room property with a 2,000-seat arena, two five-a-side pitches, a gym and sports bar. Backed by Helios Investment Partners, the plan is to build a network of sports‑driven hotels across Africa, with arenas in major cities like Lagos, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Accra and Abidjan to catalyze a continent‑wide sports economy.

The Kigali debut comes as Africa’s hotel market expands, tourism climbs and the BAL footprint grows. Rwanda’s government supported the land deal, and high-profile visitors like Paul Kagame and Aliko Dangote attended the opening, signaling political buy‑in. Ujiri wants to transform Africa’s view of sports as business, not just philanthropy, and to create venues that can host concerts and events, helping to unlock talent development and new revenue streams.

Risks linger: regulatory hurdles, the need for more private funding, and geo-political sensitivities tied to continental conflicts. Yet Kigali offers a testing ground, with tourism contributing a record $1.3 billion in 2024 and BAL events elevating Rwanda’s status as a sports destination. If successful, the model could propel a broader network of arenas that reshape player pipelines, sponsorships and fantasy sports opportunities across Africa.

Masai Ujiri's unexpected departure from the Toronto Raptors has left the NBA community buzzing with questions. The fallout stems from a long-standing rift with Edward Rogers, culminating in Ujiri's exit as the Raptors explore new leadership options. The team's future direction is uncertain, with mixed opinions about the potential hire of a new president. Many are speculating whether current GM Bobby Webster could step up, while others question the stability of the franchise.

Meanwhile, the Raptors are generating excitement with new talents like Alijah Martin, whose impressive Summer League performance has fans dreaming of future All-Star appearances. Additionally, the buzz surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo raises eyebrows, though most insiders agree the Milwaukee Bucks are unlikely to trade their star anytime soon. As the Raptors continue their Summer League journey, the financial aspects of participating in the event also came to light, suggesting significant investment in player development.