The Toronto Raptors’ search for a new president has ended in extending General Manager Bobby Webster’s contract. MLSE President and CEO Keith Pelley announced that a president will not be appointed at this time.
Webster will be entering his ninth season as general manager and 13th overall with the Raptors organization.
“Going through this comprehensive process this summer and meeting with external candidates played a critical role in arriving at this decision as it made clear that we already have the right person leading the Raptors in-house,” Pelley said in a statement. “When we weighed the many considerations, including roster construction, team culture and competitive landscape, it made perfect sense to officially hand the team to Bobby and give him the time and support to allow his plan to develop.
“After spending time together this summer in Las Vegas, I was very impressed by Bobby’s leadership style, his rapport with the players and staff, his reputation with his peers across the league and – especially and importantly – his vision for the Raptors. This team is his, now, to lead and I know we all look forward to what comes next.”
Prior to becoming GM in 2017, Webster had served as assistant GM and vice-president, basketball management and strategy. He spent seven years with the NBA League Office prior to that.
Will This Truly Be Webster’s Vision?
This decision continues an MLSE trend of operating without a team president. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto FC also no longer have a president in charge.
What’s curious is that Pelley specifically said the Raptors need a president when announcing the team was parting ways with Masai Ujiri. This appears to be a U-turn on that line of thinking.
Ujiri had significant autonomy for the majority of his tenure. With the changes in ownership and Rogers Communications Inc. now accounting for 75 percent of the team’s stake, autonomy may be a foreign concept.
Webster would have surely preferred a change in title. The appeal of building a team as close to his vision as permitted, though, still holds plenty of intrigue. At the end of the day, there are only 30 of these jobs.
“I’m grateful to Keith, to the board, and to our ownership for this opportunity – the chance to continue the work that I love, for a team, a city, and country that’s become home,” Webster said. “The things that are important to me – a deep love for basketball, thoughtful and empowering leadership, and a competitive fire – are the pillars of who I am as a leader. That’s what you’ll see from me every day.
“This is a new chapter in Raptors basketball, but one thing that will not change is our passion for winning, and our goal to bring another championship to Toronto.”
Webster became a growing front-facing presence over the last several years. He was considered the favorite to be the top man running the Raptors. He initially had an extension through the 2026-27 season. It will be interesting to see how much longer he’s under contract.
Toronto will enter the 2025-26 season with playoff aspirations.
