Maccabi Haifa Owner Seeks Full Sale, Hires Investment Bank

Maccabi Haifa owner Yaakov Shahar has initiated a significant move to sell 100% of the football club's shares, according to a report by Golan Hazani of Calcalist. Shahar and his partners, the heirs of Yisrael Kaz, have hired the investment bank Raine Group to find a buyer. Raine Group has begun approaching potential investors, aiming to assemble a purchasing group that includes a Jewish billionaire acquiring 51% and a group of tech entrepreneurs buying the remaining 49% for $5 million to $10 million each.

Hazani described the move as unprecedented for an Israeli club, suggesting Shahar's seriousness and perhaps urgency in finding a buyer, especially given his age of 84. Previous attempts to sell a portion of the club were unsuccessful due to a lack of agreement. The hiring of a professional investment bank, experienced in sports club transactions like Chelsea, indicates a strong desire to complete the sale.

Raine Group is described as a reputable boutique bank specializing in niches including sports, media, and technology. Hazani anticipates the club's asking price, which he estimates will not reach the $100 million mark, will be a starting point for negotiations. The bank will approach various potential buyers globally and domestically, possibly forming a consortium of multiple owners, similar to practices seen at clubs like Atletico Madrid. Engaging such a firm signals a clear intention to sell, with the bank being compensated based on the success of the transaction.