Ofer Yanai's reduction: Significant change in the ownership structure of Hapoel Tel Aviv

A significant change in the ownership structure of Hapoel Tel Aviv: The club announced today, Friday, a change in the Yanai Sport company, which holds 81% of the Adom Nihul Sal company. As a result, Ofer Yanai, who was the main controlling owner of the club, will from now on hold only 40% of the company's shares. Gili Raanan, Miki Malka, and Alan Howard will each hold 20%.

The move effectively changes the balance of power at the top of the club and shifts it from a structure identified primarily with Yanai to a model of partnership between four shareholders. The club emphasizes that the increase in the holdings of Raanan, Malka, and Howard will be accompanied by a deepening of their involvement in management and decision-making. One of the main goals is an attempt to change the relationship with the crowd. Hapoel Tel Aviv seeks to signal to the fans that the club is no longer managed around a single owner, but relies on a broader partnership. This is, among other things, against the background of recent tensions and the desire to bring the red crowd back to the stands.

However, the change does not necessarily indicate a distancing of Yanai from the club: he still holds 40% of the shares of the Yanai Sport company, and as part of the agreements, the shareholders committed to continued significant investment in the club. The ongoing management of Hapoel will from now on be concentrated in the hands of the club's chairman, Stav Shaham, who will act on behalf of all shareholders. The goal, according to the club's announcement, is to create professional, stable, and independent management, alongside joint strategic decision-making on key issues.

Structurally, there is no change in the holdings in the Adom Nihul Sal company itself: Yanai Sport continues to hold 81% of the shares, while the Hapoel Ussishkin Tel Aviv association holds 19%.

Ofer Yanai addressed the change and explained that the workload in his role as CEO of Nofar Energy makes it difficult for him to continue the daily involvement he had in the club:

"Hapoel Tel Aviv has made an extraordinary journey in recent years, and its next stage requires a broader and stronger ownership base. I am happy that Gili, Miki, and Alan are deepening their commitment to the club. We are moving to a structure of partnership and joint decision-making, out of the belief that the right way to continue and build Hapoel is together. My role as CEO of Nofar Energy does not allow me to continue to be involved in the ongoing management of the club as I was in the past. Therefore, all the shareholders appointed Stav Shaham as chairman of the club and gave him the mandate to lead its management."

Gili Raanan, who increased his holding to 20%, emphasized that the move expresses a long-term commitment to the club:

"Increasing our holding is an expression of deep trust in Hapoel Tel Aviv, its community, and the huge potential of the club. Alongside the financial investment, we are also deepening our responsibility and commitment. Hapoel Tel Aviv is first and foremost its people - the fans, the community, and everyone who holds the club dear. Our goal is to act together, out of unity and partnership, and to build a stable and strong base that will allow Hapoel to continue to strive for achievements at the highest levels for years."

Miki Malka said: "We believe very much in Hapoel Tel Aviv and in the path being built here. Increasing our involvement expresses a true commitment to the future of the club, to joint work between the owners, and to building a strong base that will allow Hapoel to continue to progress over time."

Alan Howard also addressed the change: "I am proud to deepen my commitment to Hapoel Tel Aviv. It is a club with an extraordinary community and great potential, and I believe that the partnership between the owners will allow us to continue to build a strong, ambitious, and successful club for years to come."

The new acting club chairman, Stav Shaham, will receive broader powers regarding ongoing management:

"The new ownership structure creates a broad, strong, and committed base for Hapoel and clearly defines the way of working forward. My responsibility as chairman is to manage the club on behalf of all shareholders, to connect the partners, and to ensure that decisions are made with a shared vision of the good of Hapoel Tel Aviv. Alongside the high professional ambitions, we will continue to work to strengthen the connection with the fans and the community and to make Hapoel a stable, achieving, and connected-to-the-crowd club."