Maccabi Tel Aviv Co-Owner Urges Resolution in Club Control Dispute

Richard Deitz, a co-owner of Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club, has penned a letter to Shimon Mizrahi, urging him to seek a resolution to the ongoing power struggle for control of the team. Ahead of the Jewish New Year, Deitz expressed concern that the arbitration process the parties are heading towards could significantly disrupt the upcoming season and negatively impact the team's atmosphere.

"I am writing to you on the eve of the New Year to say that for me, the door is always open for a serious and good-faith conversation in an attempt to find a way out of the situation we are in today," Deitz wrote. He believes a solution can be found that addresses the concerns of both parties, secures Mizrahi's legacy, and keeps Maccabi and its connection with its fans strong.

However, alongside his call for dialogue, Deitz sharply criticized Mizrahi and Udi Recanati for their actions in attempting to transfer control to Jason Levien. Deitz stated that their decision to exclude their 13-year partner from discussions about the club's future was a mistake. He further alleged that the attempt to bring Levien in as the new controlling owner was done through "indirect means and attempts to circumvent the shareholders' agreement," which he claims is inconsistent with their contractual understandings.

Deitz also asserted that the fans do not support transferring control to an "external party not connected" to the club. He recalled Mizrahi's past successes in resolving crises, including facilitating a historic game in Belgium in 1977 and efforts to keep the 2004 Final Four in Tel Aviv during the Second Intifada, suggesting Mizrahi's ability to find solutions.

Deitz began the letter on a personal note, referencing Mizrahi's New Year's phone calls since Deitz joined Maccabi in 2013, calling him a "gentleman." He lamented that the dispute had become a "media spectacle," diverting attention from the team's roster to the owners' conflicts. Deitz mentioned that mutual friends had suggested resolving the disagreements outside of legal proceedings for the sake of Maccabi, acknowledging uncertainty about its possibility but highlighting Mizrahi's problem-solving capabilities. He concluded by stating that the New Year is a time for new beginnings, letting go of impulses hindering progress, and building a better future, which he believes is what the fans desire.