The Toronto Raptors have done what was expected and extended the contract of general manager Bobby Webster, making him the unquestioned head of basketball operations, while not formally hiring a president to replace Masai Ujiri.

The move came Monday, six weeks ahead of the start of training camp. The organization ultimately decided not to choose a president at this time, instead keeping Webster as GM, but deciding to “officially hand the team to Bobby,” MLSE president Keith Pelley said in a statement ahead of a media call with Webster.

Ujiri’s Zaria Group is backed by the African private equity firm Helios Investment Partners, which manages funds totaling $3 billion. It plans to build at least four more properties modeled on its Rwandan debut, with sports and performance arenas as the anchor.

Masai Ujiri, the former Toronto Raptors executive and founder of Zaria Group, plans to take his $25m Zaria Court concept from Kigali to more African cities, building sports-focused hotels and arenas aimed at transforming the continent’s sports and entertainment landscape.

The post-Masai Ujiri era begins Oct. 22 against the Hawks in Atlanta, according to the schedule released Thursday afternoon. Two days later, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will arrive for the Raptors home opener at Scotiabank Arena.