Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri denies rumors of a rift with Edward Rogers

Masai Ujiri, team president of the Toronto Raptors, tried to quash rumors that he had friction with Edward Rogers, the executive chairman of Rogers Communications, Inc.

Ujiri says he and Edward Rogers have had “the exact same relationship for 10 years” and that it is “amazing.”

He spoke at the Raptors’ media day before training camp.

Ujiri’s comments come nearly two weeks after Rogers Communications announced it was acquiring the 37.5 percent stake of rival telecom BCE Inc. in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for $4.7 billion.

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The Toronto Star reported in 2021 that Rogers had unsuccessfully fought plans to re-sign Ujiri as vice chairman and president of basketball operations, saying he was not worth the amount offered.

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MLSE owns nearly all of Toronto’s professional sports teams, including the Raptors, NHL’s Maple Leafs, Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC and the CFL’s Argonauts.

MLSE Chairman Larry Tanenbaum, through his holding company, owns Kilmer Sports Inc. the remaining interest of 25 percent.

OMERS, a Canadian pension fund, purchased an indirect five percent stake in MLSE through a direct 20 percent stake in Kilmer Sports for $400 million in the summer of 2023.

Kilmer announced last summer that it would bring a WNBA franchise to Toronto.

Rogers Communications wholly owns the Toronto Blue Jays.