Lenny Recanati is the oldest owner of Israeli basketball, outside of Maccabi Tel Aviv. In 1992 he began supporting Bnei Herzliya as a sponsor, mainly in the youth department, and five years later was a member of a group of businessmen who took ownership of the club and later became sole owner.
Unlike other business people, who use sports, among other things, as a platform for publishing their names and promoting their personal affairs, Recanati does not often get interviewed or talk in the media. He also does not represent the team in the league administration and is not a member of the basketball association. Ahead of the opening of the new season, he breaks a long silence in an exclusive interview with "Israel Today".
What motivates a businessman like you to own a basketball team, especially if you do not use it to advertise and promote your personal business?
"At first I went in through the youth department when my kids played there and helped the department a bit, and after that I got to the seniors. I love sports in general and basketball in particular, and I saw it as a contribution to the community. The club helps teens get into sports, "Games. There is no economic motive in this, on the contrary, basketball in the country is not something you can make money from. I see it as a net contribution. The municipality also gets involved every year and I see it as a joint project. This team belongs to the city, not my private property."
What do you think about the fact that there is no proper hall in Herzliya?
"It's no secret that we are trying to get it built, however. The mayor is very much in favor, supportive and willing to allocate space and budgets. Unfortunately, the one who stopped it was the Ministry of Sports during the previous minister's tenure. I hope that the current Minister of Sports, who I know is in favor of the issue, will promote it and build a proper hall. The hall in Herzliya today is not suitable for the Premier League, it is one of the smallest and least good halls in the league "We need a positive viewing experience, which means a pleasant hall, good access and orderly parking, so the Ministry of Sports must ensure that there are proper facilities and not school halls."
How professionally are you involved in what is happening in the group?
"I do not deal with the professional side on a daily basis. There is a professional team and there is the management and chairman Eldad Akunis, who have a lot of experience.
I talk to Eldad on a regular basis, he consults with me and we decide together. "
"Trying to promote Israeli actors"
In recent years, Herzliya has suffered from several resounding professional failures, and also spent one season in the national league.
There have been rumors circulating about personnel changes in the management of the club, but Recanati clarifies that for a moment he did not think about it.
"I did not think that making a personal change in the management of the club would drastically change the success of the team."
What are you doing to get back on track?
“We have appointed Zofi Abdia as a professional manager, that it can add another professional eye and thinking angle to someone who comes from somewhere else, and can give opinions on players and help the team.
"We try to promote Israeli players, and unfortunately the youth department has not produced worthy players in recent years. I do not know if the problem is in the department or elsewhere, but it is a fact. When we had good Israeli players who grew up in the department and we had a good base of Israelis, our results were more "Good. I hope that will change in the coming years. At the same time, we are trying to learn lessons in recruiting foreign players, and bring in players who will be with us for more than one season."
Recanati (67) is the owner of the investment company 'Financial Holdings Sulam Ltd.' which invests in the fields of technology, real estate, plastic recycling and more, and of course the owner of Recanati Winery which was established in 2000 and is today considered one of the leading wineries in Israel.
He is also a cousin of Udi Recanati, one of the owners of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
With cousin, Udi.
Photo: Alan Shiver,
The Bnei Herzliya budget revolves each season around the minimum budget required in the Premier League, and is estimated at about NIS 6.5 million.
The Herzliya municipality gives about NIS 2.5 million each season, the revenues from the administration, tickets and sponsors are estimated at close to NIS 3.5 million, and according to previous reports, Recanati invests about NIS 1 million out of pocket each season.
It of course bears the responsibility and guarantees for all the obligations that appear in the budget control.
What do you think about the conduct of Israeli basketball?
"Overall, the administration is doing a good job. Shmuel Frenkel (chairman of the administration, YM) has managed to bring proper budgets to the groups, raised the broadcasting rights, and each group receives more today than it received when he took office.
"But even though the administration is doing a good job, it may be more appropriate to set up a body like the NBA, which is above the teams and sees only the good of basketball and the league, and does not look from the teams' point of view. The NBA is a great example of how a body manages Basketball as a business - which contributes to all the teams - and not like today, where the teams first and foremost think about themselves and the good of the individual.
"The NBA has a salary cap, but we have a problem, because teams that play in Europe need high budgets to bring in quality foreigners, and they have to be taken into account because it is very important for teams to play in Europe and succeed. "The two leagues will be competitive and interesting and will attract more crowds. Only a commissioner can do that who will think from above about the good of the league."
And professionally, is Israeli basketball in a good place in terms of promoting young players?
"We need to invest more in the youth departments, because only from there will players grow. The managements need to be more patient and make coaches not afraid to give young people a chance. There are young players and talents who grew up here, but often coaches only think about victory "A lot of young people have joined the league and that is encouraging, but there is still room for improvement and there should be guidance from the managements."
Have you ever considered joining Maccabi Tel Aviv?
"I have always been in Herzliya and it was not relevant."
Does not attract you to own a large club like Maccabi, with the large audience and achievements in the league and in Europe?
Also in the stands.
Photo: Alan Shiver,
"I entered basketball not as a business but as a contribution to the community. To be at Maccabi is of course to be part of a successful brand, but for me it is more important that a club like Bnei Herzliya continues to exist and provide a proper sports framework for thousands of teenagers.
What do you think about the ownership structure at Maccabi, with some owners making decisions, compared to your structure?
"I would be happy if someone else joined me. Basketball in the country is not a normal business, and I think it's good that there are some people who are willing to contribute and put out of their pockets. I, for example, have no ego of being a sole owner. - I'd love to".
"Hopefully there will be unification in Sharon again"
Is there a chance that in the future we will again see a union between the people of Herzliya and other groups in the area, as there was in the past?
"We tried to promote it a few years ago and some city officials objected, which is a shame. Sometimes it's hard to identify with a group that comes from two cities, but it just increases the audience and potential budgets, and I think it's true to unite forces. I hope it happens one day."
What is your vision for the club in 10-5 years?
"I would like to see a club with a spacious and comfortable hall that suits the city of Herzliya and the region. I want a team that plays in Europe and brings an audience of thousands of fans in every game, and a club that is one of the leading in the country."