Maccabi Tel Aviv Chairman Attends EuroLeague Owners Meeting

Following a decisive 88:71 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem in the Winner Cup semi-finals on Sunday, Shimon Mizrahi, Chairman of Maccabi Tel Aviv, traveled to Lake Como, Italy, for a EuroLeague owners meeting commencing Monday. Mizrahi aims to advocate for the return of EuroLeague games to Israel, with Maccabi Tel Aviv hopeful for a positive shift in upcoming discussions. A primary agenda item is the potential approval of eight long-term licensed teams to join the existing thirteen founding EuroLeague clubs. This expansion would bring the total of permanently seated teams to twenty out of twenty-four participants next season, with further growth anticipated in subsequent years. Notably, CSKA Moscow is currently barred from participating.

Among the thirteen clubs vying for these long-term licenses, and prepared to invest tens of millions of euros, are two Israeli teams: Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem. Sources within the EuroLeague management suggest that one of these Israeli clubs is likely to secure a license, despite the complex security situation, though identifying which team remains uncertain. Hapoel Tel Aviv appears to have an advantage due to its successful second consecutive year in the EuroLeague, significant financial investment, and apparent ambition to establish itself among the league's elite. However, Hapoel Tel Aviv faces an arena issue, as it would likely share its home venue with Maccabi Tel Aviv should games return to Israel. Hapoel Jerusalem, conversely, benefits from having its own arena and the influential backing of the Adelson family, which reportedly opens many doors for the Jerusalem club. Hapoel Jerusalem has actively campaigned for a permanent license over the past two years and is optimistic about its prospects.

While initial expectations pointed towards the finalization of the eight teams at the current meeting, recent European reports indicate that this gathering may be the first of several. It is now suggested that only a limited number of teams will be approved initially, with further announcements extending into the season.