Arthur Mola / Associated Press
Golden State Warriors president Rick Welts released an apology to Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri on Friday after footage was released showing a confrontation with a police officer after winning the Raptors championship in the 2019 NBA Finals last June. .
Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy Alan Strickland filed a lawsuit against Ujiri for alleged assault, but a counter complaint filed by Ujiri this week included a video showing Strickland pushing the Raptors president and telling him to “back the f – k up “while trying to gain court access, for ESPN.
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Masai Ujiri’s legal team released this footage of his meeting with the sheriff’s deputy as he tried to enter the pitch at the Oracle Arena after the Raptors won the 2019 NBA Finals. (Via @ diamond83) https: // t .co / OJKn8R3NmU
Welts apologized in a Twitter wire:
“For my personal and professional friend Masai Ujiri, I am heartbroken to see the video of what should have been the happiest professional moment of your life. It is difficult to watch and know everything that has swirled you afterwards.
“Even though we had no role in hiring or managing security in our old arena, it happened at a Warriors game and I apologize for that. You climbed above, which doesn’t surprise me or anyone who knows you. Now. … go make some noise in the bubble! “
Ujiri previously released a statement using the annoying incident as proof of the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement:
“The video sadly demonstrates how horribly I was treated by a law enforcement officer last year in the midst of my team, the Toronto Raptors, by winning his first world championship. It was an exhilarating moment of results for our team. organization, for our players, for our city, for our country and for me personally, given my long professional career in the NBA. Yet, unfortunately, at that moment I was reminded that despite all my hard work and my success, there are some people, including those who should protect us, who will only ever see me as something that is not worthy of a respectful commitment and there is only one indisputable reason why this is so: because I am black.
“What saddens me most about this evidence is that the only reason I’m getting the justice I deserve right now is because of my success. As I am the president of an NBA team, I have had access to resources that I deserve. they have ensured that they can ask and fight for my justice. So many of my brothers and sisters have not had, have not and will not have the same access to the resources that have ensured my justice. And that is why Black Lives Matter. “
Ujiri was hired as general manager of the Raptors in May 2013 after being named NBA Executive of the Year for the 2012–13 season while serving in the same role with the Denver Nuggets.
Toronto leads the Brooklyn Nets 3-0 into their first-round playoff streak as the organization attempts to defend the 2019 title. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on TNT.
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