Maccabi Tel Aviv Signs Daniel Theis After Unique Negotiations and High Demands

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עברית · 5 מערכות מסקרות

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Maccabi Tel Aviv signed German center Daniel Theis to a two-year, $4.4 million deal after a week of negotiations involving club chairman Shimon Mizrahi and coach Oded Katash. Theis prioritized a significant role and EuroLeague home games in Belgrade, with his family initially not relocating to Israel. The club accommodated his personal requests, including housing and transportation preferences.

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Maccabi Tel Aviv signed Daniel Theis for two years at $4.4 million total.
Negotiations lasted about a week, involving chairman Shimon Mizrahi and coach Oded Katash.
Theis prioritized his role and EuroLeague games location over security concerns.
His family will not move to Israel initially, unrelated to security issues.
Theis requested a dog-friendly apartment, dog sitter, and a large car, preferably Audi.
Maccabi quickly dismissed competing offers, including one from Spain.

Maccabi Tel Aviv officially announced the signing of experienced German center Daniel Theis on August 5, 2026, marking one of their most significant acquisitions this summer. Theis signed a two-year contract worth $4.4 million, or $2.2 million per season. Negotiations lasted about a week, initiated after Theis’s talks with Villeurbanne stalled amid uncertainty about that club's situation. His representatives then approached Maccabi, who were actively seeking a senior center to be the team’s starting big man.

Theis held several discussions with Maccabi’s head coach Oded Katash, who outlined the team’s professional plans, Theis’s role, and the vision for the upcoming season. Club chairman Shimon Mizrahi was personally involved, frequently communicating with Theis to expedite the deal, alongside professional manager Claudio Coldebella. Both sides viewed Theis as a key target, and the player was eager to join. Other European clubs, including one from Spain, attempted to engage Theis but quickly withdrew.

Professionally, Theis was convinced he would have a more significant role at Maccabi and received positive feedback from current players and club insiders. Unlike other foreign players in recent years, Theis did not inquire about Israel’s security situation; his main concern was the location of Maccabi’s EuroLeague home games, which will be held in Belgrade. Initially, Theis’s family will not relocate to Israel, not due to security concerns but because they did not enjoy their previous stay in Monaco.

Theis also made several personal requests: he owns a large dog and asked for an apartment with a balcony, a dog sitter during team travels, and a preference for a large car, ideally an Audi, for comfort. Maccabi agreed to accommodate these demands, reflecting the high standards Theis set during negotiations.

This signing highlights Maccabi’s commitment to strengthening their roster with experienced talent and the club’s willingness to meet unique player requirements to secure top-level athletes.

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