Advertisement

Oakland police pursuing charge against Raptors’ Masai Ujiri after altercation with officer

Click to play video: 'Raptors president Masai Ujiri, police officer involved in altercation after win: report'
Raptors president Masai Ujiri, police officer involved in altercation after win: report
WATCH: Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, police officer appear to be involved in altercation at Oracle Arena in Oakland – Jun 14, 2019

Police are pursuing charges after Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri and a deputy appeared to be involved in an altercation on the sidelines of Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., late Thursday in the wake of his team’s historic NBA championship win.

An unnamed Raptors executive allegedly shoved a deputy twice while trying to make his way onto the court after the game, a spokesperson for the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office told Global News. The sheriff’s office is pursuing a charge of simple battery of a officer, although it will be the local district attorney’s decision whether to make an arrest.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: Toronto Raptors president accused of assaulting police officer

Click to play video: 'Toronto Raptors president accused of assaulting police officer'
Toronto Raptors president accused of assaulting police officer

The deputy denied a Raptors executive access to the court because he didn’t have the proper credentials, according to police. The executive allegedly tried to push through and the deputy pushed him back, then the situation escalated and the executive reportedly struck the deputy in the face while shoving him, according to police.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

However, a Warriors fan says he did not see Ujiri strike a sheriff’s deputy in the face as the executive tried to enter the court after the Raptors won.

Greg Wiener, a 61-year-old season ticket holder, said Friday he was standing next to the officer when the encounter occurred.

Story continues below advertisement

Wiener said the deputy didn’t ask for any credentials before putting his hand on Ujiri’s chest and pushing him. Wiener says Ujiri shoved him back before bystanders intervened.

WATCH: Alameda Sheriff’s Office outlines complaint against Raptors’ Masai Ujiri

Click to play video: 'Alameda Sheriff’s Office outlines complaint against Raptors’ Masai Ujiri'
Alameda Sheriff’s Office outlines complaint against Raptors’ Masai Ujiri

Wiener says he was not interviewed by authorities.

The sheriff’s office says it did not make an arrest at the time because it was a special moment for the Raptors.

WATCH: Toronto Raptors win their first NBA title

Story continues below advertisement

Video circulating online shows the Raptors’ Ujiri and a police officer being pulled apart. The video does not show the start of the exchange, but the two men appear to be reaching for each other just as the camera turns to them. Several individuals quickly step in to keep the two men apart as they continue to stare one another down.

“No! No! No!” one man can be heard saying as he stands in front of the police officer, blocking his way.

The incident appeared to have occurred just as family and friends of the players flooded onto the court to celebrate.

WATCH: Police car damaged amid fan celebrations in Toronto

Click to play video: 'NBA Finals: Damaged police car seen in underpass as Raptors fans celebrate'
NBA Finals: Damaged police car seen in underpass as Raptors fans celebrate

A spokesperson for the Raptors told Global News: “The incident is being looked at, and we are cooperating with authorities. We look forward to resolving the situation.”

Story continues below advertisement

Furthermore a spokesperson for the NBA said: “We are in contact with the Raptors and local authorities and in the process of gathering more information.”

Ujiri, 48, was hired as the Raptors’ general manager in 2013 after winning Executive of the Year with the Denver Nuggets. He was promoted to Raptors team president in 2016.

ESPN reported after the game that the Washington Wizards were preparing to offer Ujiri a lucrative contract in an attempt to lure him away from the Raptors later this summer.

The Raptors won their first NBA championship with a 114-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 on Thursday.

With files from The Associated Press

Sponsored content

AdChoices