Matan Adelson: I Turned Down NBA and Premier League Teams for Hapoel Jerusalem
Hapoel Jerusalem owner Matan Adelson revealed on a podcast that he turned down NBA, Premier League, and NFL teams to invest in Israeli basketball, discussing wartime challenges, Euroleague ambitions, and financial realities.
Matan Adelson continues to shape Hapoel Jerusalem according to his vision, but his path to Israeli basketball could have looked entirely different. The club owner recently appeared on the Euro Insiders podcast and discussed his decision to enter the world of European basketball, despite having other options in the global sports arena.
"We had the opportunity to buy several NBA teams, several Premier League teams, and NFL teams," Adelson shared. "But for me, it had to be a team and a place that I care about. A place where I can spend time and where I have an emotional connection."
Adelson noted that entering the basketball world was a personal dream: "I always had a dream of owning a basketball team. The ability to be very involved, to leave my mark, was something that appealed to me immensely.
The Vision for Hapoel Jerusalem
When asked about his reasons for entering the project, Adelson revealed: "I knew very early on that I probably wouldn't make money from this. Maybe in the long run, if I sell after a valuation increase with NBA Europe or following Euroleague expansion. But I really did this to learn. I really did this so I could be deeply involved myself.
"I lose money on an ongoing basis. But so many doors have opened for me thanks to being the owner of Hapoel, and so many other business opportunities have been created. The opportunities, the networking, the learning, and the people I've met along this journey have been worth everything."
Regarding the goals he set for the club, Adelson outlined three core pillars: competing at the highest level of European basketball, making a positive impact on the local community, and representing Israel globally while strengthening community ties.
Challenges Amid Wartime Realities
Adelson also reflected on the period since he acquired the club and the reality forced upon the team following the outbreak of war. "We closed the deal in June 2023, and then a day or two before the season started, October 7 hit and the war began here in Israel. The entire country entered a state of shock.
"It was important to me that we continue to compete, so we had to move the team elsewhere. We moved to Belgrade. Logistically, it's a huge burden on the club, and economically, it's a huge burden."
Adelson noted that hosting games outside of Israel carries a heavy financial toll, costing approximately half a million dollars per game due to additional expenses and lost revenue.
European Ambitions and the Wildcard Situation
Discussing European projects, Adelson touched upon the proposed NBA Europe initiative, suggesting that while the concept could work, the current infrastructure around European basketball falls short in commercialization, TV rights, and arenas.
He also addressed Hapoel Jerusalem's bid for a Euroleague wildcard: "We submitted a bid for a wildcard. This year we submitted a two-year proposal, and the Euroleague told us we offered the highest bid." Ultimately, Jerusalem did not secure the spot due to security and geopolitical uncertainties surrounding games hosted in Israel.
Looking at domestic competition, Adelson pointed to Maccabi Tel Aviv as the club's primary rival, emphasizing that building a winning culture requires a smart strategy and deep community connection rather than relying solely on massive budgets.
