Maccabi Tel Aviv Sponsor Eric Stillman Criticizes Ownership Over Budget and Team Investment
Eric Stillman, the main sponsor of Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team, appeared on the podcast "We Are on the Map" where he detailed his experience as part of the club's ownership group and the subsequent sale of shares from the Federman family to the Rekanati family. Stillman explained that he had long desired to join the ownership and eventually entered alongside the Federmans. However, the other shareholders exercised their right of first refusal to buy the shares, a move Stillman claims was motivated by profit rather than the club's best interests. He accused the Rekanati family of prioritizing personal gain and control over the team and its associated sports channel, rather than investing in the club's success.
Stillman expressed frustration that the Rekanatis resisted change, avoided fan engagement, and blocked significant investments he wanted to make, including signing key players like Bruno Fernando, Rishon Holmes, and Tomas Stronski. He said the ownership meeting lasted 90 minutes, with him speaking for 88 minutes and the others only opposing investment for two. He also criticized the Rekanatis for opposing his budget increase proposal, stating that only Oudi Rekanati voted against it, while Shimon Mizrahi supported him.
Stillman described the Rekanati family as stuck in the past, lacking professional management and scouting systems necessary for future success. Despite his disappointment, he affirmed his commitment to remain a vocal sponsor and fan, promising to publicly demand a competitive team. He believes that with proper budget support for coach Claudio Coldebella and manager Oded Kattash, Maccabi Tel Aviv could reach the EuroLeague Final Four. Stillman concluded by saying he expects to return to a more influential role sooner than anticipated, emphasizing the need for ownership to stop blocking progress and invest in the club's future.
The article also notes that no official responses from Maccabi Tel Aviv or the Rekanati family have been published yet.
