Maccabi Tel Aviv won its 58th Israeli championship on Sunday night, beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 3-1 in the final series. The yellow team completed a domestic double after also winning the State Cup, and although it failed to reach the EuroLeague play-in, it still views the season as a success.
Behind the scenes, the club is preparing for major changes before next season. Eric Stielman bought half of the Federman family’s shares, a move that will soon be discussed by the club’s management and could affect Maccabi’s finances. The team already plans a significant budget increase, and with Stielman involved that rise could be even larger.
Coach Oded Katash has signed a three-year extension, and the entire coaching staff is expected to stay. By contrast, sporting director Claudio Coldebella is expected to leave for Roma after long talks. Maccabi also extended the contracts of Will Rayman, Jimmy Clark and Jalen Hoard during the season, and they join Roman Sorkin, T.J. Leaf and Gur Lavy, who were already under contract. Oshae Brissett and Lonnie Walker also have contracts, with Brissett’s deal possibly being upgraded and extended.
The club is negotiating with Tamir Blatt and Iffe Lundberg, with Lundberg currently seen as closer to a new deal. Maccabi also wants to re-sign John DiBartolomeo for about two more years after he apparently dropped thoughts of retiring. Zach Hankins, who had looked set to leave, may now stay as a fourth center, with a decision due soon.
On the outgoing side, Marcio Santos is bound for college and will bring Maccabi more than $1 million. David Epiani is also expected to leave after a short spell. Walker’s current contract is worth $2.2 million for next season, and although CEO Avi Ben Tal recently said Walker would stay, there is now a belief that the guard could still part ways with the club after not playing in recent weeks amid the escalation with Iran.
