Maccabi Tel Aviv Offers Record $2 Million Per Season to Guard Yam Madar

Maccabi Tel Aviv has made a groundbreaking official offer to Yam Madar, the prominent point guard of Hapoel Tel Aviv, aiming to secure his transfer this summer. The club proposed a two-year contract worth $2 million per season, an unprecedented amount for an Israeli player at Maccabi. Madar holds a release clause in his current contract valid until midnight tonight, allowing him to leave Hapoel for a $300,000 buyout fee.

Hapoel Tel Aviv has countered with a lucrative long-term offer of $2.5 million per season to retain Madar. The guard has been a standout player, especially in the recent finals against Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he scored 34 points with 10 assists in the second game, 26 points with nine assists in the fourth, and 41 points in the last regular-season derby. This season, Madar averaged 13.2 points (41.8% from three-point range) and 4 assists per game in the Israeli Premier League, while in the EuroLeague he averaged 3.1 points in 9 minutes and 42 seconds per game.

Currently, the highest-paid Israeli player at Maccabi is TJ Leaf, earning $1.1 million per season, followed by Roman Sorkin with $900,000, who is expected to receive a salary increase with a new contract. Maccabi's overall budget is projected to rise to 130 million shekels. Additionally, Maccabi recently offered Tamir Blatt a $900,000 contract for one season with an option for another.

The drama surrounding Madar's potential move continues to unfold as the deadline for his release clause approaches, marking a significant moment in Israeli basketball transfers this summer.