Shimon Mizrahi among world's 50 most prominent sports executives.
By ALLON SINAImaccabi ta 298.88(photo credit: AP)
Shimon Mizrahi's legendary influence on Israeli and European basketball was acknowledged by TIME magazine on Tuesday. The Maccabi Tel Aviv chairman was chosen by the well respected journal as one of the of the world's 50 most prominent sports executives.
"Since he took over the Israeli pro team in 1969, Maccabi has won the Israeli championship every year but 1993," TIME wrote of Mizrahi. "Maccabi has also taken five European titles, most recently in 2005. Despite the dangers of living in Israel, Mizrahi attracts premier American and European imports."
NBA commissioner David Stern, FIFA president Sepp Blatter, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner are just five of the prestigious names on the magazine's list.
"It's a great honor for me to be on this list," Mizrahi told The Jerusalem Post. "This selection honors not just me, but the entire State of Israel and Israeli sport."
Mizrahi, 67, was initially only supposed to be a temporary chairman, but he quickly made the position permanent, helping the club to 37 league titles and 28 State Cups.S
