Recanati Family Gains Control of Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball in Major Ownership Shakeup

The Recanati family has become the majority owner of Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club after acquiring all shares held by the Fedanco Sport group, owned by the Federman family, which represented 29% of the club's shares. This transaction, finalized on July 7, 2026, gave the Recanati family immediate control with 58% ownership, while the Federman family no longer holds any stake or veto rights in the club.

The ownership shift was triggered by the entry of Erik Shtilman, CEO of Rapid and the club's main sponsor, who purchased half of Fedanco Sport's shares (14.5%) on May 26, 2026. This move activated a "Buy Me Buy You" clause, allowing other shareholders to buy out the Federman family's shares at a predetermined valuation, which the Recanati family exercised. The deal revealed Maccabi Tel Aviv's valuation at approximately $172.5 million, based on the $50 million paid for 29% of the shares.

Current ownership distribution stands at 58% for the Recanati family, 17.5% for Richard Deitsch, 14.5% for Shimon Mizrahi, and 10% for Ben Ashkenazi. The Recanati family plans to invest millions to enhance the club both financially and professionally, aiming to elevate Maccabi Tel Aviv to the top tier of European basketball.

The decision to consolidate ownership followed years of disagreements among shareholders over financial and sporting strategies, including disputes over coach Oded Katash's contract extension and player transactions. The saga surrounding player Yam Madar, involving disagreements on his contract terms and insurance coverage due to a serious knee injury, also exemplified the internal conflicts. With the Recanati family now holding majority control, decision-making is expected to become more streamlined.

Rapid will continue as the club's main sponsor under a seven-year agreement worth about $3 million per season. The Recanati family's acquisition marks a significant turning point in the club's management and future direction.