American MLS Owners Eye Major Investment in Israeli Football Overhaul
American MLS club owners are poised to invest tens of millions of shekels in Israeli football to overhaul national team development and infrastructure.
Israeli football is preparing for a transformative strategic overhaul aimed at developing national teams across all age groups, backed by substantial investments from American Major League Soccer club owners. Steve Kaplan, co-owner of D.C. United, the Memphis Grizzlies, and Swansea City, recently visited the national training center in Shefayim to review the initiative.
Kaplan, accompanied by his wife, was presented with a comprehensive blueprint detailing the unifying power of football in Israeli society. The confidential meeting included Israeli Football Association Chairman Shino Zuaretz, Vice Chairman Moran Meiri, and national team head coach Ran Ben Shimon. Discussions highlighted football's role in bridging communities across the country, showcasing the integration of Arab players and the sport's capacity to foster social cohesion.
Overcoming Financial Hurdles
The national teams' budget currently constitutes roughly 45 percent of the IFA's total expenditures, amounting to 68 million shekels out of 150 million. However, the association has suffered critical revenue losses over the past three years due to the absence of ticket and season pass sales, as international matches have been restricted to foreign venues since the events of October 7.
To bridge this financial gap, the IFA introduced its 'Israeli Way' project, designed to elevate local football to competitive international standards. Kaplan’s visit marks the first step in securing private philanthropic backing from prominent American sports figures to fund academies, elite training centers, and world-class sports science staff.
Expanding U.S. Philanthropy
The next phase of the project involves presenting the initiative to eight other Jewish owners of MLS franchises, whose collective investments span American football, basketball, and soccer. These include prominent figures such as Arthur Blank, David Tepper, Robert Kraft, and the Wilf family. Organizers hope to establish a dedicated fundraising forum, leveraging private capital to secure the future of Israeli football development.
