Maccabi Haifa seeks US$100m exit as Raine hunts buyers

Maccabi Haifa’s owners have reportedly appointed Raine Group to find a buyer for the entire club at an asking price of US$100m, reviving a sale process after negotiations with American investors collapsed.Longstanding owner Yaakov Shahar and his partners, the heirs of Israel Kaz, are seeking a single transaction covering 100% of the Israeli club rather than the staged ownership transition discussed previously.Shahar has confirmed his intention to sell, although he said a group of technology entrepreneurs identified as potential investors had not contacted him.The renewed process follows unsuccessful negotiations over the Kaz family’s 50% holding approximately six months ago, with that proposed transaction valuing the club at US$80m.The earlier agreement would also have given the American investors an option to acquire the Shahar family’s stake later, but discussions ended over disagreements.The current US$100m asking price is US$20m above that earlier valuation, although neither figure represents a completed transaction or establishes what prospective buyers will ultimately pay.Raine has reportedly begun approaching potential investors, with one possible structure combining a controlling shareholder with a consortium of technology entrepreneurs who support Maccabi Haifa.Under that proposal, a lead investor would acquire 51%, while the entrepreneurs would collectively purchase the remaining 49%, contributing between US$5m and US$10m each.The structure remains an option being explored rather than an agreed bid, and no controlling investor has been confirmed.Len Blavatnik was mentioned as an example of the scale of investor envisaged for the majority holding, but he has said he was not approached.The technology investors are associated with ‘Greentech’, a forum bringing together business figures who support the club, with Verbit co-founder Tom Livne leading the initiative on their behalf.Other potential participants identified in the reporting include entrepreneurs behind cybersecurity, payments, weather forecasting and sports technology businesses, although only some forum members are expected to invest.Hotelier David Fattal and businessman Udi Angel have also been identified as possible participants, without any confirmed commitment to the proposed acquisition.The distinction between exploratory interest and a formal offer remains significant, particularly given Shahar’s statement that the technology group had not contacted him.Shahar, 84, has owned Maccabi Haifa for approximately 35 years and reached the decision to sell in consultation with his sons.His preference is reportedly for a buyer capable of preserving continuity and supporting the club’s long-term future, making the identity and intentions of any purchaser part of the selection process alongside price.A complete sale would allow both existing ownership interests to exit together, replacing the phased arrangement considered during the previous negotiations.Raine’s task is now to establish whether prospective investors can turn the proposed ownership structures into an offer acceptable to Shahar and the Kaz family, with no buyer or sale agreement confirmed.