Alona Barkat's Massive Investment in Hapoel Be'er Sheva Faces Stiff European Test
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Alona Barkat, owner of Hapoel Be'er Sheva, has invested over 80 million shekels of her own money into the club. The team faces AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday, with Alkmaar's squad valued at 161 million euros compared to Be'er Sheva's 27 million euros. Barkat, whose family wealth stems from tech investments, hopes her team can overcome the financial gap and secure a prestigious win.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Alona Barkat has invested over 80 million shekels of her personal funds into Hapoel Be'er Sheva.
- Hapoel Be'er Sheva's squad is valued at 27.45 million euros, while AZ Alkmaar's is worth 161.45 million euros.
- The two teams will compete in a Europa League match on Thursday.
- Barkat's family wealth originates from significant investments in the high-tech sector.
- A win against AZ Alkmaar could earn Hapoel Be'er Sheva approximately 450,000 euros.
Alona Barkat, the influential owner of the Hapoel Be'er Sheva football club, has invested approximately 282 million shekels since taking control in 2007, with over 80 million shekels coming from her personal funds. Her significant financial commitment will be tested on Thursday when the team plays an away match against Dutch club AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League. This game highlights the vast economic disparities between top Israeli clubs and established European teams.
According to Transfermarkt, Hapoel Be'er Sheva's current squad is valued at around 27.45 million euros. In contrast, AZ Alkmaar's squad is worth approximately 161.45 million euros, more than six times the value of the Israeli team. Despite facing financial losses in Israeli football, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent conflicts, Barkat has continued to fund significant player acquisitions.
Barkat, married to businessman Eli Barkat, comes from a family whose wealth, estimated in billions of shekels, was largely built on strategic investments in high-tech, notably through the venture capital fund BRM's investment in the cybersecurity company Check Point. Barkat herself had a brief, unsuccessful foray into politics with the New Right party before refocusing on her sports venture in Be'er Sheva.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva aims to prove that financial superiority does not guarantee victory on the field. With Barkat's stable financial and managerial backing, the team hopes to achieve an upset win against AZ Alkmaar. Such a victory could earn the club approximately 450,000 euros, adding to the roughly 8 million euros already secured from reaching the Europa League group stage.
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