Quick Facts
LibraBiography
Shimon Mizrahi (born October 16, 1939, Tel Aviv) is an Israeli lawyer and the chairman of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club.
Biography
Professional career
Mizrahi is the senior partner in the B. Arnon - S. Mizrahi law office and specializes in traffic violation cases. In 2006, he defended the prominent attorney Dori Klagsbald in a high-profile case of manslaughter following the death of two a mother and child killed by Klagsbald's vehicle.
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Shimon Mizrahi was appointed chairman of Maccabi in 1969, in the wake of the club's financial problems. He introduced various strategies to rescue Maccabi from bankruptcy, such as selling tickets for Maccabi games, which had previously been free. Mizrahi realized that in order to secure Maccabi's dominance in the Israeli league, it would have to sign American players. Since he became chairman in 1969 Maccabi has won the Israeli championship in all but five years (1992/93, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2012/13 and 2014/2015 seasons). Maccabi has also won six European cup titles (1977, 1981, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2014).
Mizrahi was accused by his rivals of failing to make the Israeli league more competitive with plans such as payment limits. However, Mizrahi agreed to several laws which were meant to weaken Maccabi, such as the Brisker Rule, which limits the number of foreign players every team can sign, the Final Four playoff system instead of a best-of-five playoff system, and more.
Awards and accolades
- In 2007, Mizrahi was chosen by Time magazine as one of 50 best sport managers in the world.
- In 2011, he was awarded the Israel Prize for sports, for his long-time contribution for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Although this award was contested, it was upheld by the Israel High Court of Justice.
- Shimon Mizrahi on Time list of 50 best sports managers in the world Ynet, 7 October 2007
- Shimon Mizrahi receives Israel Prize award in Sports Jerusalem Post, March 9, 2011
- Judges Rationale for grant of Israel Prize (in Hebrew), Israel Prize website
- Leave the prize winners in peace The Jerusalem Post, May 1, 2011