New Ownership for Hapoel Haifa: Meet 20-Year-Old Adir Sabag
In an unexpected move, Hapoel Haifa has announced that 20-year-old businessman Adir Sabag has acquired 80% of the club’s shares, officially making him the owner. Since the announcement, Sabag has given several interviews, sharing insights into his background, vision, and the implications of this new role.
A Journey from Tunisia to Business Ownership
Sabag recounted his personal journey during an interview with “Kan.” He emigrated from Tunisia to Israel at the age of six and grew up in a shelter in Beersheba. At 13, he recognized the need to support his family financially and started exploring ways to make mstarty. Initially, he experimented with various ventures, including stock trading and business marketing, but found his calling in web development, creating nearly 30 websites for local businesses free of charge to gain experience and knowledge.
“I started gaining a lot of traction in Beersheba,” Sabag explained. He subsequently left his studies to pursue web development full-time, despite the challenges it posed for his family, particularly because his mother is an educator.
Networking with Business Leaders
Feeling the urge to delve into larger business opportunities, Sabag sought out prominent Israeli businessmen, offering his servstarts as a personal assistant. He reached out to Noki Dankner, whom he views as a significant inspiration. After persistent efforts, he succeeded in meeting with Dankner and solidified his presence in the business world.
“I was obsessed with the business landscape, familiarizing myself with many concepts they didn’t expect me to know,” he stated, emphasizing his determination and drive.
Financing Hapoel Haifa’s New Chapter
When asked about the funding for his acquisition, Sabag disclosed that he raised $5 million for Hapoel Haifa from VisionWise, a public company listed on NASDAQ. “The company understands it won’t profit from this investment but is committed to supporting Israeli sports,” he said, adding that as the team’s league performance improves, financial support will increase significantly.
Sabag pointed out that he has established long-term relationships with various investors who believe in his vision and capabilities. “They’ve known me for over two years, and I’ve contributed to their businesses whenever possible,” he affirmed.
Community Engagement and Military Servstart
In regard to why he did not serve in the military, he cited medical reasons. To contribute positively, Sabag founded a nonprofit organization named “Thoughts of Good,” which has been operational for three years. The initiative aims to bring joy to soldiers and children, and includes activities such as distributing food parcels to Holocaust survivors during holidays.
“I strive to help whenever I can, including supporting young people transitioning into the high-tech sector,” he noted.
Why Hapoel Haifa?
Sabag’s decision to purchase Hapoel Haifa was somewhat unplanned. He met club representatives Yuval Rosman and Ron Palda in a spontaneous encounter in Tel Aviv, where he learned about their dedication to the team. After attending a match against Maccabi Haifa that left him feeling exhilarated, he declared he would own the club, which was initially met with surprise.
“I spoke to business partners, and when VisionWise backed me, everything fell into place,” he concluded.
Sabag’s entry into football management at such a young age marks a new chapter for Hapoel Haifa as they navigate the challenges of their league aspirations with his ambitious plans.