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The lawsuit against Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri regarding an incident after Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals has been dropped.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) released the following statement, via TSN's Josh Lewenberg:
“Masai has been completely vindicated, as we always knew he would be. We are disappointed that he and his family have had to endure the past 18 months of worry and uncertainty, but for their sake we are pleased the legal process has come to an end–and especially pleased that the claims made against Masai and MLSE were dismissed entirely, free of any financial settlement. We continue to be deeply troubled by the fact that Masai was put in this position in the first place, and believe he should have never had to defend himself. Masai is taking some time to process the ordeal, and intends to address it publicly at a later date.”
The lawsuit stems from Ujiri's attempts to get onto the floor as the Raptors celebrated their first championship after winning Game 6 at Oracle Arena against the Golden State Warriors.
Ujiri was stopped by an Alameda County sheriff's deputy Alan Strickland, who demanded to see his credentials. Strickland filed a lawsuit claiming damages due to physical injuries suffered in a shoving match with Ujiri. However, Ujiri filed a countersuit after body camera footage showed Strickland shoved Ujiri multiple times before the Raptors president retaliated.
It is pretty remarkable Strickland's team did not drop the lawsuit sooner. They maintained their stance in spite of the evidence from the body camera footage, which appeared to be a fruitless legal strategy.
Alas, the suit has finally dropped, though not after 18 months of frustration and sadness for Ujiri.
