Maccabi Tel Aviv Management Considers Mediation to Resolve Dispute

A potential shift in approach is emerging in the protracted dispute within the management of Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club, as a third party has proposed mediation as an alternative to arbitration. During a hearing concerning an interim relief request by Richard Deych, attorney Zohar Landa revealed the mediation offer aimed at ending the long-standing saga. Judge Zimmerman, presiding over the case, stated that Ben Ashkenazi's shares, which were slated for sale to Jason Levien before Deych, Rekanati, and Mizrachi exercised their right of refusal, will be considered dormant and not distributed until the dispute is resolved. The judge expressed his view that arbitration would not ultimately settle the internal conflict.

Attorneys for Rekanati and Mizrachi, including Dori Kalegsbld, insisted that if mediation proceeds, it should be for a fixed period or run concurrently with the ongoing arbitration. The name Moran Meiri was put forward as a potential mediator, and this proposal is expected to be reviewed shortly. A two-week timeframe has been set for the mediation process. Meanwhile, attorney Rali Leshem has been appointed as the arbitrator for the parties.

Despite the mediation proposal, the court is not expected to issue a specific order for it. Instead, the court will likely rule on the appointment of an arbitrator, as the previous arbitrator's appointment failed due to disagreements. The parties are anticipated to attempt reaching agreements on the matter within the stipulated two weeks.