Hapoel Rishon LeZion Secures Major Sponsorship Deal for Promotion Push

Hapoel Rishon LeZion, a team in Israel's second-tier Liga Leumit, has announced a significant new sponsorship agreement with businessmen Dudu and Natalie Vaturi. The Vaturis, who currently own Bnei Eilat of Liga Bet, will invest substantially in Hapoel Rishon LeZion with the explicit goal of elevating the team to the top-tier Ligat Ha'al within the next five years. This deal is characterized by the club's chairman, Eli Senior, as a sponsorship and not a full transfer of ownership. Natalie Vaturi is slated to assume the role of club president. The Vaturis are set to inject 5 million shekels into the club over five years, with 650,000 shekels allocated for the upcoming season and the remaining 4.35 million shekels spread across the subsequent four seasons. This investment will bolster both the senior team and the club's youth academy. The club will remain under the public association's ownership and continue to be managed by the current leadership, including Chairman Eli Senior and General Manager Avi Levy. As part of the agreement, the team will be renamed "Hapoel D.N. Rishon LeZion." Ariel Barak, who previously served as a representative for owners in Hapoel Ramat Gan's promotion season, will act as the owners' representative. Natalie Vaturi is expected to join the association and gain signing authority as early as Sunday, with an initial injection of 1 million shekels for team reinforcement planned for January. The Vaturis intend to maintain their involvement with Bnei Eilat as well. The clandestine negotiations were exclusively revealed by Sport 5. The agreement was finalized between the club's legal advisor, Shei Tal, and representatives of the Vaturi couple and their company. Both Dudu and Natalie Vaturi expressed enthusiasm for the project, citing the club's potential and Rishon LeZion's status as a major city deserving of a top-tier football team. They aim to improve all aspects of the club, strengthen the senior squad, invest in youth development, and contribute to the community. Rishon LeZion Mayor welcomed the Vaturis' commitment, viewing it as a vote of confidence and a significant boost for the team's aspirations to reach the Premier League. General Manager Avi Levy highlighted the agreement's importance for long-term planning for both the senior team and the youth division.