Footage has been released on the incident between Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri and an Alameda County (Calif.) deputy after the Canadians won the NBA championship in June of 2019. Following the Raptors win in Game 6 of the 2019 Finals, Ujiri tried to get to the court to celebrate with his players when a cop stopped and shoved him twice without any apparent reason.
Ujiri’s legal team released bodycam footage of Ujiri’s encounter with Alan Strickland as part of a countersuit. In the video, you can see Ujiri approaching deputy Strickland and showing his credentials to get on the court. The executive tries to get past the officer but Strickland stopped him, puts his arm out to slow him down, then shoved him back with both hands, telling him to “back the f— up.” Obviously, that didn’t sit well with Ujiri, who responded by saying, “Why did you push me? I’m the president of the Raptors,” only for Strickland to push him again.
https://twitter.com/diamond83/status/1295898422625566727
The executive then shoves the officer before another officer steps in and allows Ujiri onto the court.
This officer actually filed a lawsuit against the successful executive, claiming he “suffered, and will continue to suffer, physical, mental, emotional, and economic injuries, including, but not limited to, lost wages, lost opportunity for financial gain, future earning capacity, and past and future medical care and expenses.”
The Raptors released a statement on Tuesday night, stating that the video shows their president “was not an aggressor, but instead was the recipient of two very violent, unwarranted actions.”
Raptors spokesperson on release of video footage involving team president Masai Ujiri and a Bay Area police officer in moments after end of 2019 NBA Finals: pic.twitter.com/sPq6y1tbw5
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 19, 2020
Amid racial tensions and seeing the police in America doesn’t have the best images, these things happen. Hopefully, everything goes well for Ujiri and he receives justice.
