With the conclusion of the 2012-2013 NBA season, the biggest question mark for the Toronto Raptors was the fate of president and general manager Bryan Colangelo but it appears that Maple Leafs Sport and Entertainment is closing on a decision.
As first reported by Ryan Wolstat, Colangelo will meet with members of the MLSE board on Tuesday. A source confirmed to Sportsnet that the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and that newly-appointed CEO Tim Leiweke will be present for the meeting.
Colangelo is expected to present the board his plan for the future as well as to review what has happened during his tenure with the franchise. When Colangelo met with the media after the season had ended, he made it clear that his desire was to be back and to retain current head coach Dwane Casey.
While Casey has one year remaining on his contract, the board will decide whether or not they want to pick up the team option on Colangelo’s current deal. Nearing the end of season it appeared likely that they would keep him at the helm for another season. The hiring of Leiweke as the new MLSE CEO creates a new wrinkle as the former CEO of AEG, Leiweke made it clear in his introductory conference call that the Raptors are an immediate priority for MLSE.
Shortly after the Leiweke hiring was announced, rumours about MLSE making a run at Phil Jackson for a front office/president type role began to surface. Leiweke confirmed during the call that Jackson, a friend, had reached out to him to congratulate him on his new job, but said the two hadn’t discussed anything further at that time.
Though it is unknown which direction MLSE is currently leaning with respect to Colangelo’s future what is known for certain is that their new president is looking to make strides to improve the state of the Raptors. Whether or not the board still feels enough confidence in Colangelo’s ability to do the job remains to be seen.
