Masai Year End Presser @ 10am

[WuTang_CMB]

I hear Steven Brunt ask Sherm Hamilton today, what more things can Masai ask MLSE to provide? I think they've done as much as possible, given we are in Canada. And stuff like different broadcasters (as much as I hate Leo), more presence in Africa, stuff like that is fluff. We need to know what basketball things are we going to do.

The question is backwards, it needs to be, Masai, what do you plan to do to win again. You're the basketball guy, not MLSE.

No see that's why guys like Masai can posture and potentially walk on MLSE. He's a visionary and sees the big picture, much like Leiweke (and if Tim was here, Masai wouldn't be at the crossroads he currently is - it would have been done).

Masai's job was to put a winning product on the floor and he did that and then some. He brought us a chip when no one in a million years thought that was possible. The ownership's job is to keep investing into the team and to keep growing the brand globally. I think we can say we don't even do enough in Ontario, let alone globally. Our media coverage stinks - we get passed over by Curling. I don't have stats on NBA/Raptors air time but it doesn't even come close to Leafs/NHL and that's a problem, with basketball/nba/raptors interest at growing levels. Raptors and the NBA should be rammed down our throats just like NHL/Leafs are.

Masai wants to grow their brand and needs their support. It's a win win for everyone but MLSE needs to be committed. I get a sense MLSE just thought they could do status quo after winning in 2019 and that's not on Masai's agenda.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I hear Steven Brunt ask Sherm Hamilton today, what more things can Masai ask MLSE to provide? I think they've done as much as possible, given we are in Canada. And stuff like different broadcasters (as much as I hate Leo), more presence in Africa, stuff like that is fluff. We need to know what basketball things are we going to do.

The question is backwards, it needs to be, Masai, what do you plan to do to win again. You're the basketball guy, not MLSE.

No see that's why guys like Masai can posture and potentially walk on MLSE. He's a visionary and sees the big picture, much like Leiweke (and if Tim was here, Masai wouldn't be at the crossroads he currently is - it would have been done).

Masai's job was to put a winning product on the floor and he did that and then some. He brought us a chip when no one in a million years thought that was possible. The ownership's job is to keep investing into the team and to keep growing the brand globally. I think we can say we don't even do enough in Ontario, let alone globally. Our media coverage stinks - we get passed over by Curling. I don't have stats on NBA/Raptors air time but it doesn't even come close to Leafs/NHL and that's a problem, with basketball/nba/raptors interest at growing levels. Raptors and the NBA should be rammed down our throats just like NHL/Leafs are.

Masai wants to grow their brand and needs their support. It's a win win for everyone but MLSE needs to be committed. I get a sense MLSE just thought they could do status quo after winning in 2019 and that's not on Masai's agenda.

What was the status quo? They positioned themselves for Giannis and it didn't work. Bell/Rogers have an impetus to grow the Raptors brand, but they likely don't want to take short-term losses in order to do it. Masai can use his leverage here to get firmer commitments, but without knowing specifically what more he wants here it's hard to say. Under the table CBA violations like the Clippers?

[WuTang_CMB]

Masai was ambiguous through out the entire presser, like he always is. He made a couple of things clear.. one of which is he wants another championship, but it doesn't mean he thinks the core is crap.. he just won't push hard for a measly play-in game. The other thing he said is he wants to challenge MLSE to help grow the Raptors so they become a worldwide ticket. I mean he is interviewing for the President role, not a GM. He wants the Raptors to be BIG, and he wants help to make that happen. This should be what MLSE wants, but it might require some changes in how games are broadcast, or how much attention are put on them from the local media. Or how much influence they can have on US broadcasters, etc.

But everything else was wishy washy. Like his contract, or the Lowry situation, or what he's going to do in the draft. I mean he mentioned both the BPA and a guy that fits in the same sentence! He's a tough man to read. But that's what he has to do. Pigeonholing himself in any direction, some of which he has no control over, is the last thing he'd want to do.

To his credit, he always has been since day 1 and it's worked for him. I agree with your points

[WuTang_CMB]

I hear Steven Brunt ask Sherm Hamilton today, what more things can Masai ask MLSE to provide? I think they've done as much as possible, given we are in Canada. And stuff like different broadcasters (as much as I hate Leo), more presence in Africa, stuff like that is fluff. We need to know what basketball things are we going to do.

The question is backwards, it needs to be, Masai, what do you plan to do to win again. You're the basketball guy, not MLSE.

No see that's why guys like Masai can posture and potentially walk on MLSE. He's a visionary and sees the big picture, much like Leiweke (and if Tim was here, Masai wouldn't be at the crossroads he currently is - it would have been done).

Masai's job was to put a winning product on the floor and he did that and then some. He brought us a chip when no one in a million years thought that was possible. The ownership's job is to keep investing into the team and to keep growing the brand globally. I think we can say we don't even do enough in Ontario, let alone globally. Our media coverage stinks - we get passed over by Curling. I don't have stats on NBA/Raptors air time but it doesn't even come close to Leafs/NHL and that's a problem, with basketball/nba/raptors interest at growing levels. Raptors and the NBA should be rammed down our throats just like NHL/Leafs are.

Masai wants to grow their brand and needs their support. It's a win win for everyone but MLSE needs to be committed. I get a sense MLSE just thought they could do status quo after winning in 2019 and that's not on Masai's agenda.

What was the status quo? They positioned themselves for Giannis and it didn't work. Bell/Rogers have an impetus to grow the Raptors brand, but they likely don't want to take short-term losses in order to do it. Masai can use his leverage here to get firmer commitments, but without knowing specifically what more he wants here it's hard to say. Under the table CBA violations like the Clippers?

Status quo = crappy media coverage / amount of $$ in brand recoginition

Masai has done his job on the court - there's no debating that. He wants to see us grow even stronger off it - that's a legitimate ask.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Status quo = crappy media coverage / amount of $$ in brand recoginition

Masai has done his job on the court - there's no debating that. He wants to see us grow even stronger off it - that's a legitimate ask.

Sure, but that's not the reason Kawhi left or Giannis re-signed. It's hard to see this as the reason why he is taking himself to FA. It could have been wrapped up at any point in the year.

He went from "we will win in Toronto" to "ownership needs to advocate better for us because we're the only team outside the U.S." just because his contract is up? Seems like he just wants to see what's out there for him, and I personally can't see why he wouldn't take Ballmer's money and unscrupulous competitiveness in the best FA market in the league. He just has to wait on some results.

[ruckus]

I wonder how much of it has to do with the Raps getting the short shrift of playing in Tampa while the Canadian NHL teams got their own bubble-like season. Considering the size of MLSE, I'm pretty sure they were heavily involved in making the NHL season happen considering, as everyone else has said, the ownership stake of Bell and Rogers.

On the other hand, the Raptors were relegated to Tampa. I'm not sure how much strong arming ownership tried with the NBA, the province and the city to make something work but looking at the complete lack of enforcement of the 14 day quarantine period for travelers, I'm pretty sure something could have been worked out whereby the Raptors would have been able to play in Toronto.

NBA teams don't take commercial flights. Visiting teams could have been ferried from the airport to a designated hotel to the arena and back with minimal contact with anyone else.

Maybe thats the kind of support that Masai was looking for from ownership. MLSE is big. They are a significant player in professional sports. They should be pushing their weight around when it comes to the interests of the Raptors. Instead, I get the sense that they're content with letting the NBA dictate the terms of their relationship. Maybe its an ingrained part of the franchise's culture looking back at how they and the province acquiesced on ProLine and how they let the league change the terms of the draft on them multiple times.

Masai has a point especially when he says that the Raptors are the only team outside of the US for a league that envisions itself as being a global brand. Instead of thinking of ourselves as an outlier, we really should be thinking of ourselves and positioning ourselves as the key into making the NBA global identity actually work. Even if its not actually true, thats the mindset and approach that the franchise and MLSE should be taking going forward.

[Badonkadonk]

Masai was ambiguous through out the entire presser, like he always is. He made a couple of things clear.. one of which is he wants another championship, but it doesn't mean he thinks the core is crap.. he just won't push hard for a measly play-in game. The other thing he said is he wants to challenge MLSE to help grow the Raptors so they become a worldwide ticket. I mean he is interviewing for the President role, not a GM. He wants the Raptors to be BIG, and he wants help to make that happen. This should be what MLSE wants, but it might require some changes in how games are broadcast, or how much attention are put on them from the local media. Or how much influence they can have on US broadcasters, etc.

But everything else was wishy washy. Like his contract, or the Lowry situation, or what he's going to do in the draft. I mean he mentioned both the BPA and a guy that fits in the same sentence! He's a tough man to read. But that's what he has to do. Pigeonholing himself in any direction, some of which he has no control over, is the last thing he'd want to do.

To his credit, he always has been since day 1 and it's worked for him. I agree with your points

I don't even think it's wishy-washy tbh, it's on par with how executives at any organization describe their overall goals. He might have final say on transactions, but roster analysis, construction, fit etc. is an exercise that I would expect Bobby and his team of specialists to be working on in detail with Nick and his staff.

In fact, I thought it was interesting that he took ownership over the early-season Center troubles, not that he raised his hand and said "blame me" (any good leader does), but rather that he'd be the one pushing for something like signing Baynes/Len.

[Raps1103]

Finally got around to watching the presser. What an incredible man Masai is. If it wasn't evident before, this man bleeds for our team. How can anyone dislike him or overtly question his decision making? I don't want to see any slander of him or any Pooh Pooh-ing * wink wink* of this man ever again. We must protect him and keep him at all costs.

For the record, I thought he got emotional because of what was said about him as opposed to him leaving. It sounds to me like he has unfinished business here and he wants to bring more championships to Toronto. However, it does sound like he has legitimate gripes with ownership. If you're MLSE, you have to do what he says because the way he talks up the Raptors, you'd assume if he was given what he wants that he'll be able to just build the team to a status that'll ultimately make more money for MLSE.

The same way we talk about a statue of Kyle outside ACC, we need to start talking about a Builder's category for jersey retirement/statue for Masai outside the Arena. This man is a treasure. Can't say enough good things about him!

Personal Attack and Baiting.

What a joke of a “warning “ how do we hold these Mods accountable ? They’re a joke.. they have their fav posters who troll and bash the team with baseless negativity.. and get NOTHING IN THE WAY OF WARNINGS OR BANS... and this guy makes a tiny word play joke.. of this Mods favourite poster .. and gets a warning .. seriously .. how do we get rid of this mod, and his pathetic power tripping??

Personal Attack on Moderators, and Derailing Discussion.

[ruckus]

Finally got around to watching the presser. What an incredible man Masai is. If it wasn't evident before, this man bleeds for our team. How can anyone dislike him or overtly question his decision making? I don't want to see any slander of him or any Pooh Pooh-ing * wink wink* of this man ever again. We must protect him and keep him at all costs.

For the record, I thought he got emotional because of what was said about him as opposed to him leaving. It sounds to me like he has unfinished business here and he wants to bring more championships to Toronto. However, it does sound like he has legitimate gripes with ownership. If you're MLSE, you have to do what he says because the way he talks up the Raptors, you'd assume if he was given what he wants that he'll be able to just build the team to a status that'll ultimately make more money for MLSE.

The same way we talk about a statue of Kyle outside ACC, we need to start talking about a Builder's category for jersey retirement/statue for Masai outside the Arena. This man is a treasure. Can't say enough good things about him!

Personal Attack and Baiting.

What a joke of a “warning “ how do we hold these Mods accountable ? They’re a joke.. they have their fav posters who troll and bash the team with baseless negativity.. and get NOTHING IN THE WAY OF WARNINGS OR BANS... and this guy makes a tiny word play joke.. of this Mods favourite poster .. and gets a warning .. seriously .. how do we get rid of this mod, and his pathetic power tripping??

Not a mod but I assume you'd start by not calling them out publically. PM'ing the other mods and getting Howard involved if you feel that strongly about it is probably the best avenue.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I wonder how much of it has to do with the Raps getting the short shrift of playing in Tampa while the Canadian NHL teams got their own bubble-like season. Considering the size of MLSE, I'm pretty sure they were heavily involved in making the NHL season happen considering, as everyone else has said, the ownership stake of Bell and Rogers.

On the other hand, the Raptors were relegated to Tampa. I'm not sure how much strong arming ownership tried with the NBA, the province and the city to make something work but looking at the complete lack of enforcement of the 14 day quarantine period for travelers, I'm pretty sure something could have been worked out whereby the Raptors would have been able to play in Toronto.

NBA teams don't take commercial flights. Visiting teams could have been ferried from the airport to a designated hotel to the arena and back with minimal contact with anyone else.

Maybe thats the kind of support that Masai was looking for from ownership. MLSE is big. They are a significant player in professional sports. They should be pushing their weight around when it comes to the interests of the Raptors. Instead, I get the sense that they're content with letting the NBA dictate the terms of their relationship. Maybe its an ingrained part of the franchise's culture looking back at how they and the province acquiesced on ProLine and how they let the league change the terms of the draft on them multiple times.

He was pretty clear that they knew it was a non-starter. The difference here is obvious. The NBA hastily forced the season and scheduling around the Christmas Day ratings grab. The NHL waited and planned their season carefully. They had 6 Canadian teams to create a bubble in the first place. And they didn't push the government to change its rules for special favours.

As far as Tampa goes, Masai let the players choose where they were going to play. They chose a covid soaked deregulated petri dish of a state. It's all on them.

[WuTang_CMB]

Status quo = crappy media coverage / amount of $$ in brand recoginition

Masai has done his job on the court - there's no debating that. He wants to see us grow even stronger off it - that's a legitimate ask.

Sure, but that's not the reason Kawhi left or Giannis re-signed. It's hard to see this as the reason why he is taking himself to FA. It could have been wrapped up at any point in the year.

He went from "we will win in Toronto" to "ownership needs to advocate better for us because we're the only team outside the U.S." just because his contract is up? Seems like he just wants to see what's out there for him, and I personally can't see why he wouldn't take Ballmer's money and unscrupulous competitiveness in the best FA market in the league. He just has to wait on some results.

He can do what he wants really. He doesn't need to sign an extension, he has every right to wait to "free agency".
He's delivered a winning product and now wants to grow the brand globally and wants more funds from ownership to do that. You may not like it but its a legitimate ask.

Those hurdles are still in the way. He wants to put pressure on the league to give us more coverage but that starts back home - rogers/bell need major improvements on nba/raptors content.

[Steelo Green]

Finally got around to watching the presser. What an incredible man Masai is. If it wasn't evident before, this man bleeds for our team. How can anyone dislike him or overtly question his decision making? I don't want to see any slander of him or any Pooh Pooh-ing * wink wink* of this man ever again. We must protect him and keep him at all costs.

For the record, I thought he got emotional because of what was said about him as opposed to him leaving. It sounds to me like he has unfinished business here and he wants to bring more championships to Toronto. However, it does sound like he has legitimate gripes with ownership. If you're MLSE, you have to do what he says because the way he talks up the Raptors, you'd assume if he was given what he wants that he'll be able to just build the team to a status that'll ultimately make more money for MLSE.

The same way we talk about a statue of Kyle outside ACC, we need to start talking about a Builder's category for jersey retirement/statue for Masai outside the Arena. This man is a treasure. Can't say enough good things about him!

Personal Attack and Baiting.

What a joke of a “warning “ how do we hold these Mods accountable ? They’re a joke.. they have their fav posters who troll and bash the team with baseless negativity.. and get NOTHING IN THE WAY OF WARNINGS OR BANS... and this guy makes a tiny word play joke.. of this Mods favourite poster .. and gets a warning .. seriously .. how do we get rid of this mod, and his pathetic power tripping??

Not a mod but I assume you'd start by not calling them out publically. PM'ing the other mods and getting Howard involved if you feel that strongly about it is probably the best avenue.

It’s been pretty consistent to not make jokes of people’s names or take personal shots. I don’t know why people have to go after the mods for doing their jobs.

Everyone on both sides have been warned.

[MavCarter]

Why tf would masai wait for a seattle team whos ownership is completely unknown? Dude put an emphasis on how important ownership is to him

It's not completely unknown, it's Tim Lieweke and his brother (among others). The whole rumour is predicated on the relationship between Tim & Masai, and the fact that they could potentially offer a small ownership stake and carte blanche over the basketball side of things (the hockey team starts next season).

The NBA bidding process is much more competitive than the NHL. You would have to be 100% certain that TL and his potential ownership group would be the only bidders/highest bidders for a potential team.

[scuervo1]

This just reminds me of the Kawhi saga, and MU is taking a page from his book. Personally, I think Masai is asking for the moon, knowing that it is unreachable.

If it smells like a duck...

[Raptors Realtor]

I wonder if one of Masai's requests has anything to do with telling MLSE they have to push the nba to have more coverage of Toronto home games via TnT, ESPN, etc to gain more exposure in the US/Globally, which would in turn require bell/Rogers to relinquish some of their own TV rights?

[ATLTimekeeper]

Status quo = crappy media coverage / amount of $$ in brand recoginition

Masai has done his job on the court - there's no debating that. He wants to see us grow even stronger off it - that's a legitimate ask.

Sure, but that's not the reason Kawhi left or Giannis re-signed. It's hard to see this as the reason why he is taking himself to FA. It could have been wrapped up at any point in the year.

He went from "we will win in Toronto" to "ownership needs to advocate better for us because we're the only team outside the U.S." just because his contract is up? Seems like he just wants to see what's out there for him, and I personally can't see why he wouldn't take Ballmer's money and unscrupulous competitiveness in the best FA market in the league. He just has to wait on some results.

He can do what he wants really. He doesn't need to sign an extension, he has every right to wait to "free agency".
He's delivered a winning product and now wants to grow the brand globally and wants more funds from ownership to do that. You may not like it but its a legitimate ask.

Those hurdles are still in the way. He wants to put pressure on the league to give us more coverage but that starts back home - rogers/bell need major improvements on nba/raptors content.

I'm not saying he shouldn't ask, but I get the sense that's not the sticking point. He's talking about what his family wants, the problems with Toronto... this is all messaging.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I wonder if one of his requests has anything to do with telling MLSE they have to push the nba to have more coverage of Toronto home games via TnT, ESPN, etc to gain more exposure in the US/Globally, which would in turn require bell/Rogers to relinquish some of their own TV rights?

I don't think they're in conflict, unless you mean he wants ESPN in Canada.

[OAKLEY_2]

I hear Steven Brunt ask Sherm Hamilton today, what more things can Masai ask MLSE to provide? I think they've done as much as possible, given we are in Canada. And stuff like different broadcasters (as much as I hate Leo), more presence in Africa, stuff like that is fluff. We need to know what basketball things are we going to do.

The question is backwards, it needs to be, Masai, what do you plan to do to win again. You're the basketball guy, not MLSE.

No see that's why guys like Masai can posture and potentially walk on MLSE. He's a visionary and sees the big picture, much like Leiweke (and if Tim was here, Masai wouldn't be at the crossroads he currently is - it would have been done).

Masai's job was to put a winning product on the floor and he did that and then some. He brought us a chip when no one in a million years thought that was possible. The ownership's job is to keep investing into the team and to keep growing the brand globally. I think we can say we don't even do enough in Ontario, let alone globally. Our media coverage stinks - we get passed over by Curling. I don't have stats on NBA/Raptors air time but it doesn't even come close to Leafs/NHL and that's a problem, with basketball/nba/raptors interest at growing levels. Raptors and the NBA should be rammed down our throats just like NHL/Leafs are.

Masai wants to grow their brand and needs their support. It's a win win for everyone but MLSE needs to be committed. I get a sense MLSE just thought they could do status quo after winning in 2019 and that's not on Masai's agenda.

Great points. Two things Masai has said before the championship and now. The first was something like: "I can assure you the chance to get a player of Kawhi's calibre on the open UFA market is next to zero per cent". Reality check number one due to being Canada's Raptors. The second thing he said in this year end presser was: "we want, and need to be, in the conversation as elite winning organization with the usual markets like L.A. Boston, Miami or NY teams in terms of market scale. Reality check number two. They need to be the world's team with world on its roster as flagship global ambassador for basketball. That two communications companies out duel illegal streaming to get Raptor content to the world and the merch to go with it.

That means if they need to tank for talent the league does not fine the global ambassador. The league fixes parity and big market favouritism or a chunk of have nots will always tank and stare head office down even paying absurd fines.

I think he has put the league on notice and MLSE that they will go rogue as necessary to build their brand and the league is either a partner or is ignored esp. in the social justice area.

Masai has residual anger over being assaulted at Oracle. I think his message is next time I throw my very best punch. He was reserved in the presser but if coming back he's coming back a Raptor warrior.

[mihaic]

Masai is a top executive, but part of the achievements were also fueled by Bobby's relationship with Spurs management.

If he stays, great. If he walks, life goes on. If you ever worked in management you will know that nobody is irreplaceable, you can still get it done in different ways with different people. Bobby seems like a competent person and he is locked, and the Raptors will roll with that if Masai bolts.

Like I said life goes on.

[rocky_da_best]

Finally got around to watching the presser. What an incredible man Masai is. If it wasn't evident before, this man bleeds for our team. How can anyone dislike him or overtly question his decision making? I don't want to see any slander of him or any Pooh Pooh-ing * wink wink* of this man ever again. We must protect him and keep him at all costs.

For the record, I thought he got emotional because of what was said about him as opposed to him leaving. It sounds to me like he has unfinished business here and he wants to bring more championships to Toronto. However, it does sound like he has legitimate gripes with ownership. If you're MLSE, you have to do what he says because the way he talks up the Raptors, you'd assume if he was given what he wants that he'll be able to just build the team to a status that'll ultimately make more money for MLSE.

The same way we talk about a statue of Kyle outside ACC, we need to start talking about a Builder's category for jersey retirement/statue for Masai outside the Arena. This man is a treasure. Can't say enough good things about him!

Personal Attack and Baiting.

What a joke of a “warning “ how do we hold these Mods accountable ? They’re a joke.. they have their fav posters who troll and bash the team with baseless negativity.. and get NOTHING IN THE WAY OF WARNINGS OR BANS... and this guy makes a tiny word play joke.. of this Mods favourite poster .. and gets a warning .. seriously .. how do we get rid of this mod, and his pathetic power tripping??

Personal Attack on Moderators, and Derailing Discussion.

People take themselves too seriously sometimes lol