Golden State Warriors president Rick Welts on Friday issued a public apology to Toronto Raptors’ opponent Masai Ujiri for an altercation with a deputy sheriff that happened when Ujiri tried to walk to the court in Oakland after the deciding game. of the Finals of 2019.
“To my personal and professional friend Masai Ujiri,” Welts published to his Twitter account. “I’m passionate about watching the video of what should have been the happiest professional moment of your life. It’s hard to watch and know everything that creeps in in the aftermath around you.”
Video footage taken from a body camera on Alameda County Alan Strickland’s deputy was released Tuesday as part of a countersuit filed by Ujiri’s lawyers. Strickland can be seen in the video that shakes Ujiri and tells him to return “the f — up” when Ujiri tries to gain access to the court after the Raptors’ Game 6 win in Oracle Arena. Strickland has charged Ujiri with alleged assault by a law enforcement official.
“While we had no role in hiring or managing security at our old arena, it happened at a Warriors game and I apologize for that,” Welts said in the statement. “You came upstairs, which does not surprise me as someone you know.”
Welts finished by wishing Ujiri well in the NBA playoffs, in which his Raptors led the Brooklyn Nets 3-0 in the first round after a 117-92 victory on Friday.
“Well … go make some noise in the bubble!” Welts said in the post.
On Thursday, Ujiri said in a statement that the incident happened “because I am black”, while people thanked for their support.
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