Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv Compete with Record Offers for Guard Yam Madar

The rivalry between Tel Aviv basketball teams has intensified as Maccabi Tel Aviv presented Yam Madar with a record-breaking offer of $6 million over three years, the highest salary ever offered by Maccabi to an Israeli player. Maccabi coach Oded Katash has already discussed the proposal with the 25-year-old guard. In response, Hapoel Tel Aviv countered with an upgraded offer of $12.5 million for five years. This latest bid comes about two weeks after Hapoel initially offered Madar $8 million for three seasons, but the player, dissatisfied with his limited playing time in the EuroLeague, is reconsidering his future with the club.

Additionally, Hapoel Jerusalem is also interested in strengthening their backcourt and has Madar on their radar. These developments occur amid Maccabi's ongoing negotiations with Tamir Blatt, another guard, with whom they have yet to close a deal due to significant differences over contract terms. If Madar moves to Maccabi, Blatt is unlikely to remain with the team.

Madar holds an exit clause for the upcoming summer, and his decision will depend not only on financial terms but also on the team's guard roster. With Chris Jones leaving Maccabi for Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, the club is expected to sign a top player to fill his spot, which will impact Madar's playing time next season. Following a challenging professional and mental period, Madar has become a key player for coach Dimitris Itoudis after the EuroLeague season and the absence of Elijah Bryant.