Report: Raps Pursuing Phil Jackson?

The MLSE has hired Tim Leiweke as president of the organization going forward. The implications are huge, as a change of the MLSE president may finally produce some positive results from an organization that is pretty much hated by Toronto fans.

Leiweke was president of AEG, who owned the Staples Center, the LA Kings, LA Galaxy share of the Lakers among others, and he has a strong background and seems to be committed to building winning Toronto teams. There may be change in the way MLSE operates, and their whole ‘money-first’ mentality may change into a ‘winning’ mentality. Fantastic news for Toronto fans.  He will take over June 30th.

However, the real kicker here is that Leiweke has ties to legendary coach Phil Jackson, who is looking for a front office position. Rumor has it that the Toronto Raptors have been pursuing Jackson, and adding Leiweke will give them a better shot.

I doubt the MLSE made Leiweke the president BECAUSE they wanted Jackson to take over for Bryan Colangelo, however it may just work out that way.

Jackson hasn’t had any experience in the front office, and moving to the president of the Raptors would be a  big change from the hardwood. However, this team needs the prestige added to the franchise, and would be a welcome change. From a basketball perspective, nobody knows the kind of moves Jackson would make, but realize that current GM Ed Stefanski will likely remain to assist Jackson.

I’m not sure if an inexperienced general manager is what the Raps want, however the experience and name Jackson holds will bring respect to the franchise, and if he is signed, hopefully is vision moving forward aligns with what Colangelo was trying to finish, because I don’t think Raptors fans can take another start from scratch.