Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club Ownership Dispute Erupts Amidst Leaked Recordings

Leaked recordings submitted to the Tel Aviv District Court reveal sharp criticism from Oded Recanati, a controlling shareholder of the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club, directed at his former partners and the ongoing ownership struggles. The recordings, part of a shareholder dispute, expose deep rifts within the club's management.

The controversy stems from the Recanati family's decision to sell a 29% stake in the club to American businessman Jason Levien, former CEO of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, for $50 million. These shares were recently acquired by the Recanatis from the Federman family. Another shareholder, Richard Deitz, who holds 17.5%, opposes the deal and is exercising his right of first refusal. The court has referred the parties to arbitration.

In the recordings, Recanati expresses strong reservations about Danny Federman, stating that "management directions were unequivocally under the table, behind the back." He also claimed the Federman family historically prevented budget increases, contrasting it with the current season's $31.8 million expenditure.

Recanati also criticized Arik Shulman, founder of Rapyd and a sponsor of Maccabi Tel Aviv, who attempted to purchase shares from the Federmans. Recanati described Shulman as "too aggressive" and someone who "tried to take over and do things" rather than focusing on the club's welfare, even interfering with coaching decisions. Recanati firmly stated, "This man cannot be an owner in Maccabi," citing it as a motivation for his own share acquisition.

Recanati presented Jason Levien as a suitable partner, highlighting his "Zionist" identity, passion for Israel, and significant NBA experience, which he believes is crucial for Maccabi's future. Levien has reportedly committed to investing $10 million annually for three years.

Recanati emphasized he does not seek sole control, stating, "I don't want to control the club. I'm not blind, I'm 77 and Shimon is 87. We want younger partners." He believes ownership should be shared among multiple individuals with diverse opinions.

Arik Shulman responded on social media, sarcastically remarking on the desire to win the EuroLeague and directly addressing Recanati's claims, stating, "If you have a problem with someone, it's with me. My name is Shulman. Game on."