Hapoel Tel Aviv Investor Gili Ra'anan Praises Maccabi, Says Now Is Hapoel's Time to Shine

Gili Ra'anan, an investor holding shares in Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball team, recently spoke to Euro Insiders about the rivalry with Maccabi Tel Aviv and his commitment to the red team. Ra'anan acknowledged Maccabi's long-standing success in European basketball, calling their achievements a pathbreaker for Israeli basketball. "Maccabi paved the way, but now it's our time," he said, emphasizing respect for the past while focusing on Hapoel's future potential.

Ra'anan expressed strong support for Hapoel's project under owner Ofer Yanai, describing his immediate admiration for the initiative and its broader community impact, especially following the difficult period after October 7. He highlighted weekly communications with the coaching staff and framed the basketball project as a form of community rehabilitation beyond just sports.

When asked if winning the EuroLeague with Hapoel would be his greatest personal achievement, Ra'anan modestly replied that an NBA championship with Hapoel would surpass that, indicating no limits to his ambitions for the team. His comments reflect a deep investment in both the sporting and social significance of Hapoel Tel Aviv's basketball resurgence.