By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Ofer Yannay, the owner of Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv, has extended a highly unconventional, real-world invitation to NBA legend Dennis Rodman to fly to Israel and conduct a specialized rebounding clinic for the squad, according to a report published by Israeli outlet Sport5 on Wednesday.
Writing directly to one of the most iconic glass-cleaners in NBA history, the businessman candidly acknowledged that while his substantial financial investments have successfully propelled the club into EuroLeague contention, raw capital has yet to resolve their current deficiencies on the boards.
“We still have to get more rebounds,” wrote Yannay. “Many years ago, I read your story about how you turned rebounding into an exact science. I was fascinated by the way you described studying shot angles, the spin of the ball, the way it bounces off the rim, and where you had to be before anyone else even understood where the ball was going. That story has stayed with me.”
“Instead of talking about rebounding, why not invite the person who turned it into an art? I would be honored to invite you to Tel Aviv as my personal guest and as a guest of Hapoel Tel Aviv,” he added.
The eccentric proposal entices the Hall of Famer with a $100,000 appearance fee, business-class airfare, and luxury hotel accommodations for himself and up to three personal guests. Furthermore, the structured three-day itinerary would feature a dedicated instructional seminar with the players, a VIP media interview, a collaborative dinner, and exclusive access to Tel Aviv’s vibrant nightlife.
Beyond addressing the roster’s tactical deficit, the organization intends to leverage the multimedia content captured during the defensive maestro’s stay for widespread global marketing. “The media content filmed during the visit will be available for the club’s media, marketing and promotional use,” explained Yannay.
“I can promise you one thing. You will receive a lot of love here, from me, from our club, and especially from the thousands of passionate Hapoel Tel Aviv fans,” the owner of the Israeli EuroLeague outfit addressed Rodman.
“In recent years, Israel has gone through a very difficult war. Now, more than ever, it is a great time to come, bring joy, experience, enjoy, and be with us. I would be very happy to host you in Tel Aviv,” he concluded.
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