A lot of queries were made regarding Maccabi’s plans for the next season, so we addressed them all to our deputy-CEO. The reasons, the move, the budget and also an optimistic message to the fans
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Lately Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv received a lot of queries regarding the two rosters plan, according to which one roster will only play domestically and the other will only play in the EuroLeague. So we sat down for a Q&A session with our deputy-CEO Eli Drikes who answered it all.
How long did it take Maccabi to come up with this plan?
“The conversation within Maccabi Tel Aviv, regarding the current situation due to the rules and limitations applied in the domestic competition, with the expected expansion in the EuroLeague and even before that with the new EuroLeague format, has been around for several years now. We’re thinking and checking how to manage ourselves in this situation, and we had some thoughts, even about leaving the Israeli league, but for us it’s not an option as we can’t see ourselves not being a part of the Israeli basketball, so we decided not to go in this direction. The idea of two different rosters has been discussed in recent months whether it was held within the ownership and management, and whether it was with the coaching staff. We’ve reached to the conclusion that with the current limitations being applied only upon Maccabi Tel Aviv in comparison to the other European teams, having two different rosters would be the right solution”.
Why was it decided to go for such a dramatic move?
“We didn’t really had a choice. The EuroLeague today is a league of 16 teams with five weeks of double round weeks in which we sometimes we have four games in one week including flights between games. When coming back to play in the domestic league, we don’t always have the time to prepare properly to the games as well as to prepare the team to the different lineups and rotations that are needed due to the limitations in the domestic league. In fact we are already playing with two different rosters in our team. It may seem dramatic on the outside, but to us these are just two rosters that will get all the resources they need in order to be able to compete in an honorable way in both competitions”.
Building two different rosters requires a bigger budget. Wouldn’t it be better to put all the money in one roster that will compete in all competitions like it always been?
“One roster wouldn’t have given us the solution. Still even if we sign 2-3 more players, all of the rules and limitations would still apply, the rotations and lineups used in both competitions would still be different, and we would still have to face the same limitations that our rivals in the EuroLeague never have to face. This is how it’ll always remain, regardless of the effort or money that we’ll put which is why we will build two different rosters”.
Will both rosters practice together?
“No, two separate rosters. A roster that practices and plays in the domestic league, and a roster that practices flies and plays in the EuroLeague”.
During the season will the players move around between the teams?
“That’s not our goal. Our goal is to build two different rosters, each roster will receive its own resources and I will say that talented players that will earn their spot in the EuroLeague roster will be promoted to that roster, that’s one of the domestic roster’s goals”.
Where will the games be played?
“At the home court of Maccabi “FOX” Tel Aviv, The Menora Mivtachim arena,
Are there any concerns about damaging the brand? How did the marketing partners reacted?
“There are always concerns and there’s always a will to take care of the brand, regardless of the two rosters plan. That’s our job at the front office, to maintain the prestige of the brand. We’re putting a lot of effort and resources into it. We’ve talked to our business partners before we made the decision to make this move, we’ve also shared the matter and the concerns following it with our main marketing partner, and they fully support us”.
What are your expectations from the domestic league roster next year?
“I expect to see a competitive team that will compete for the playoffs and will make it to the playoffs. As a matter of fact, in the league’s current system, you can go all the way after you make it to the playoffs. I’m expecting to see the Israeli players leading the team and evolving in the process”.
Why should an Israeli player choose to play in the domestic league roster of Maccabi over a different club that might even participate in a European competition?
“It’s possible that there will be players that will make that choice, I respect that. Everyone knows what are the qualities and the advantages of playing for such a club as Maccabi Tel Aviv, and of course there’s the aspect of the future, meaning that the players who will earn their spot and will play at a EuroLeague level could very well find themselves playing for the EuroLeague roster”.
How will this move affect the season tickets, will the prices go up?
“The season tickets will remain the same, it’s for both the Israeli league and the EuroLeague and the prices will not go up”.
There are rumors that say that the product called Winner league (Israeli league) was damaged due to the move, what is your opinion on the matter?
“I’m saying it loud and clear: This is not our purpose. Maccabi is only looking to take care of itself. The competitions in which we play (the EuroLeague, and the domestic league), we’re doing what we see as right for us”.
What will you say to the fans who are finding it hard to cheer for two different teams? They will come on Sunday and watch the players play and on Thursday a complete different roster?
“My personal feeling, is that it’s something new and exciting. To see a roster that is assembled in its majority from young Israeli players, it’s a refreshing breeze. Since we announced our new plan, we’ve talked with many of our fans as it was very important to us to hear what they think, and about 80% gave a positive feedback they were enthused by the move. The moment that our fans understand the logic and the thoughts behind this move, they’re with us. First of all they are the fans of the club”.
What’s your message to the fans?
“Maccabi has a management group and ownership, and these people are very responsible for the club and the brand. They have worked for decades so that the brand and the club will become an empire. The fans can rest assure that all of these good men will do everything in their power so that the club will continue to be in the place where it belongs”.
