Israeli Tech Moguls Emerge as Potential Buyers for Maccabi Haifa Soccer Club

Translated & summarized from N12 by baba

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Maccabi Haifa is reportedly for sale by owner Yaakov Shahar for $100 million, with a plan to sell to a Jewish businessman and a group of tech entrepreneurs. Key potential investors include Tom Livne of Verbit, Ofer Ben-Nun of Argus Cyber Security, and Ziv Paz of Melio. The group of high-tech investors is expected to purchase 49% of the club, with the remaining 51% going to a primary buyer. The sale aims to bring new ownership to the prominent Israeli soccer club.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Maccabi Haifa owner Yaakov Shahar is seeking to sell the club for $100 million.
A group of Israeli tech entrepreneurs is forming to purchase 49% of the club.
Tom Livne, co-founder of Verbit, is leading the high-tech investor group.
Other potential tech investors include Ofer Ben-Nun and Ziv Paz.
The sale aims to bring new ownership to the prominent Israeli soccer team.
Established businessmen David Fattal and Uri Angel are also considered potential investors.

Israeli Tech Moguls Emerge as Potential Buyers for Maccabi Haifa Soccer Club — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Maccabi Haifa, a prominent Israeli soccer club, is reportedly on the verge of a significant ownership change, with current owner Yaakov Shahar seeking to sell 100% of the club's shares for approximately $100 million. The sale aims to bring in a new ownership group composed of a wealthy Jewish businessman acquiring a majority 51% stake, alongside a consortium of high-tech entrepreneurs who would jointly purchase the remaining 49% for an investment of $5-10 million each.

The potential tech investors are reportedly associated with the "Greentech" forum, a group of tech professionals who are fans of the club. Leading this group is Tom Livne, a co-founder of Verbit, an AI-powered transcription and language solutions company that reached a $2 billion valuation in 2021. Livne, who led Verbit until 2024, has since pursued other ventures, including drug development and tech investments.

Other prominent figures from the Israeli tech scene are also being considered. These include Ofer Ben-Nun, a cybersecurity entrepreneur known for co-founding Argus Cyber Security and Talon Cyber Security, which were sold for substantial sums. Tal Slobodkin, a managing partner at early-stage tech investment firm StageOne Ventures, is also named. Shimon Elkabetz, a co-founder of the weather forecasting company Tomorrow.io, which achieved a valuation exceeding $1 billion, is another potential participant. Ziv Paz, a co-founder of the digital payment system for small businesses, Melio, which was acquired for up to $3 billion, is also on the list. Tamar Bar Ilan, CTO and co-founder of the rapidly growing cybersecurity firm Cyera, valued at $9 billion, and Ami Sircus, a co-founder of the sports results app 365Scores, sold for around $200 million, are also mentioned.

Additional potential investors include Guy Nitzan, founder of the sports content app Recapp, and established business figures like hotel magnate David Fattal, founder of Fattal Hotels, and Uri Angel, a businessman involved in the family's shipping and business empire. The article highlights that the collective wealth of these individuals, primarily derived from successful tech ventures and established businesses, positions them as strong candidates to acquire the club.