Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri Releases Statement After Lawsuit From 2019 Finals Incident Has Been Dropped

Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri released a statement on social media after his lawsuit from a 2019 incident with a security guard has been dropped.

In the statement, Ujiri thanks the Raptors organization, and committed to fighting for social justice and equality in the future.

“I have decided my fight isn’t a legal one,” Ujiri said in the Instagram post. “Now the challenge is this: What can we do to stop another man or woman from finding themselves in front of a judge or behind bars because they committed no crime other than being Black? That is the work that each of us must commit to, every day.”

A statement from our president Masai Ujiri. pic.twitter.com/DRyy90glwy

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 15, 2021

Sideaction’s Latest:

• Gronk Goes to Disney World is the Most Clickable Headline of the Year
• Tom Brady is a Fanatic About Winning; Leonard Fournette Has Proof
• Mariota Reclamation Project in New England? Patriots Reportedly Eyeballing Quarterback
• Super Bowl Streaker Bet on Super Bowl Streaking
• Two Teams Reportedly Interested in Carson Wentz Trade
• Bronny James Reveals Torn Meniscus Diagnosis
• Courtside Karen in LeBron James Incident Apologizes via Instagram
• What Was Actually Said in LeBron James vs Courtside Karen Incident

Uriji’s lawsuit stemmed from a 2019 incident after his team won their first championship in franchise history. He tried to get on the court to celebrate with his team at Oracle Arena, but was repeatedly shoved away by a law enforcement officer. The officer, Alameda County sheriff’s deputy Alan Strickland, claimed that Ujiri didn’t provide the proper credentials to get on the court.

Masai Ujiri's legal team has released this body camera footage of his encounter with a sheriff's deputy as he tried to walk onto the court at Oracle Arena after the Raptors won the 2019 NBA Finals.

(via @diamond83) pic.twitter.com/OJKn8R3NmU

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 19, 2020

While Masai Ujiri ended up fine, this is a prime example of how people of color are treated differently in America. Hopefully his story can help to make sure instances such as this one don’t happen again in the future.

Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!