Deytz Seeks Emergency Order to Halt Maccabi Tel Aviv Share Transfers

Richard Deytz, a controlling owner of Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club, has filed an urgent request for temporary relief with the Tel Aviv District Court's economic department. Deytz, through his company VR Capital Group, is seeking to halt recent moves by the Recanati family and Shimon Mizrahi, which he claims are designed to alter the club's ownership structure and power balance before ongoing disputes are resolved through arbitration. The core of the dispute involves approximately 9% of Maccabi Tel Aviv's shares. These shares were reportedly offered by a company controlled by Ben Ashkenazi to Jason Levien on September 2, 2026, for $18 million. Deytz argues that Recanati and Mizrahi, who had previously sought to sell shares to Levien, are now attempting to acquire these shares themselves, thereby reducing the number of shares Deytz's company can purchase under its pre-emptive rights. Deytz also questions the economic logic, noting that the Recanati-controlled company initially sought to sell at a club valuation of around $172 million, but is now looking to buy at a valuation closer to $200 million. He contends these transactions are part of a single maneuver to reshape the club's ownership before the arbitration process concludes. Deytz's filing invokes a famous quote by former player Tal Brody, "We are on the map, and we are staying on the map... not just in sports, in everything," adding a legal twist to suggest "everything" now includes "legal, tortious, infringing, and bad-faith maneuvers" by Recanati and Mizrahi. The court is being asked to prevent the transfer or distribution of shares, changes in ownership registration, and the granting of voting, management, or economic rights. Deytz also seeks to freeze prior actions related to the share transfer to Levien. An agreement in principle has reportedly been reached to appoint attorney Israel (Rally) Leshem as the arbitrator, with preliminary communications already exchanged.