Maccabi Chairman Mizrahi Pushes for EuroLeague Return to Israel in Italy
Maccabi Tel Aviv Chairman Shimon Mizrahi has traveled to Italy for the EuroLeague owners meeting to advocate for the return of games to Israel. The summit addresses long-term licenses, with Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem competing for a spot.
Following an 88-71 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem in the Winner Cup semifinal on Sunday, Maccabi Tel Aviv Chairman Shimon Mizrahi flew to Italy's Lake Como on Monday morning to attend the EuroLeague owners meeting starting today. Alongside key agenda items, Mizrahi will push for the return of EuroLeague games to Israel, with Maccabi hoping for a positive shift during the upcoming discussions.
EuroLeague Expansion and Long-Term Licenses
During the central meeting, league management is expected to approve the inclusion of eight teams with long-term licenses alongside the 13 founding EuroLeague clubs. Excluding CSKA Moscow, which is currently not permitted to return to the competition, this change will establish 20 permanent EuroLeague teams out of 24 that will compete next season, with potentially more slots in subsequent years.
Among the 13 teams competing for a license—prepared to pay an initial fee amounting to tens of millions of euros—are two Israeli clubs: Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem, who by all indications are vying for a single spot. Various EuroLeague officials told us they estimate one of the Israeli sides will ultimately secure the license despite the complex security situation, though they found it difficult to predict which club would make the cut.
The Rivalry Between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem
Hapoel Tel Aviv holds a clear advantage as they are playing their second consecutive season in European competition with great success, investing heavy funds and looking like a team eager to anchor itself at the top of the continent. On the other hand, Hapoel Tel Aviv currently faces an arena issue, as they are slated to share a venue with Maccabi Tel Aviv if games return to Israel.
Meanwhile, Hapoel Jerusalem boasts the advantage of a dedicated arena, while the backing of the Adelson family opens significant doors for the capital club. Jerusalem has run a multi-year campaign to secure a permanent license, and club management remains optimistic about their chances.
Oded Kattash: "We didn't expect such a start in the EuroLeague, it hit our morale hard."
While expectations a few weeks ago suggested the meetings in Italy would finalize the list of eight teams, recent reports in Europe indicate this gathering will likely be the first of several sessions held throughout the year. Only a limited number of teams are expected to be approved in the initial phase, with announcements for the remaining clubs rolling out over the course of the season.
