Whose Team Is It? Relations Between Soccer Team Owners and Fans in Israel: A Case Study of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC

Abstract

The paper aims to better understand the significance and characteristics of the phenomenon of soccer team ownership in Israel, and its impact on relation patterns between soccer team owners and fans. The central claim is that that the privatization of team ownership has redefined the nature of relations between the two sides, and has led to the development a conflicting relationship between them. The emotional viewpoint held by fans, a central element of their identity, has suddenly juxtaposed with the business viewpoint held by the team owner. In Israel, the gap between these two viewpoints has led to a rift, with relations even deteriorating in to violence.