Hapoel Tel Aviv Owner Denies Wrongdoing in Yam Madar Contract Dispute

Mishko Razentovich, a prominent agent in European and Israeli basketball and representative of player Yam Madar, revealed in a Sport 5 interview that Maccabi Tel Aviv approached Madar while he was still under contract with Hapoel Tel Aviv. The interview, aired on August 10, 2026, sparked a strong response from Hapoel Tel Aviv owner Ofer Yanai. Yanai stated that Madar was under a $1.92 million contract and refused a $3 million offer from Hapoel to sign a $2 million deal with Maccabi, suggesting Madar's motivation was to avoid staying under the same terms. Yanai questioned the timing of Maccabi's approach, emphasizing it occurred before the contract cancellation. He accused Madar and his associates of framing the situation as an injustice to cover up improper behavior, hinting that this might justify a significant legal claim. The dispute highlights tensions in Israeli basketball over player contracts and transfers between rival clubs.