Maccabi Haifa for sale for $100 million: Yaakov Shahar hired an investment bank that approached a group of high-tech entrepreneurs
Yaakov Shahar, owner of Maccabi Haifa, has renewed efforts to sell the soccer club, this time offering 100% of its shares for $100 million. Shahar hired the investment bank Raine Group to find a buyer, and the bank approached a group of high-tech entrepreneurs who are fans of the club, aiming to form a joint purchase with a Jewish billionaire. The move comes six months after the failure to sell half of the club to American investors.
Yaakov Shahar, owner of Maccabi Haifa, has renewed efforts to sell the club, six months after the sale of half of it to a group of American investors fell through. This time, Shahar wants to sell 100% of the club's shares in a single deal for $100 million. To this end, Shahar and his partners, the heirs of Israel Katz, hired the investment bank Raine Group, which specializes in technology, media, and telecommunications companies and has advised on sports acquisitions. The bank has begun approaching various parties, and among other things, is trying to assemble a group of buyers consisting of a Jewish billionaire who would purchase 51%, alongside a group of high-tech entrepreneurs who are fans of the club, who would purchase 49% with an investment of $5-10 million each. The high-tech entrepreneurs are active in the Greentech forum, and the initiative is led by entrepreneur Tom Livne, who previously founded Verbit. Potential participants in the purchase include: Ofer Ben Nune, Talach Slobodkin, Shimon Elkabetz, Ziv Paz, Tamir Bar Ilan, Ami Sirkis, and Guy Nitzan. Hotelier David Fattal and shipping magnate Udi Angel may also be included. Shahar, 84, is determined to sell the club in a joint decision with his sons, but will only sell to someone who ensures continuity. Shahar confirmed his intention to sell but added that he has not been contacted by the high-tech group.