Amanda Knapp
Israel is a desirable destination for American and European basketball players due to its excellent weather, upscale lifestyle, and guaranteed salary payments. The average foreigner in Israel's Premier Basketball League, also known as the Winner League, earns between $140,000 and $350,000 USD per year, with the maximum salary reaching approximately $1 million USD annually. Israel's Premier League is known for recruiting top US-Jewish players and offering competitive salaries, making it one of the highest-paying professional basketball leagues worldwide. The league's economic attractiveness is enhanced by the fact that teams typically cover the taxes on players' incomes, resulting in higher take-home earnings compared to other leagues. However, it is important to note that the Israeli basketball scene is characterized by fierce competition and a constant turnover of players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average salary for a foreigner in the Israeli Premier Basketball League | $140,000 - $350,000 USD/year |
| Average salary for the best Israeli players | $140,000 - $350,000 USD/year |
| Maximum salary | $1 million USD/year |
| Average salary for a foreigner excluding Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem | $90,000 - $110,000 USD/year |
| Average salary for a foreigner in Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem | $500,000 USD/year |
| Average salary for a foreigner in the Greek Basketball League | $60,000 - $250,000 USD/year |
| Taxes on income | Paid by the team |
| Lifestyle perks | Spacious apartments, cars, and excellent weather |
| Competition level | Fierce |
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What You'll Learn
Foreign players' salaries
Israel's Premier Basketball League, also known as the Winner League, offers some of the highest salaries for foreign players in overseas basketball. The average salary for a foreigner in the league is around $140,000 to $350,000 per year, with some sources stating that the maximum salary can reach up to $1 million per year. This places the Israeli league in the highest pay grade of professional basketball leagues worldwide.
The league actively recruits American-Israeli players, which can lead to a slim economic difference between foreigners and nationals. Additionally, due to the deep pockets of clubs like Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem, the salaries for foreign players in these teams can be even higher, averaging around $500,000. Excluding these two clubs, the average salary for foreign players in other Israeli teams ranges from $90,000 to $110,000.
One advantage of playing in Israel is the timely payment of salaries, which is not always guaranteed in other countries. The country's excellent weather, upscale lifestyle, and convenient living conditions are also attractive perks for foreign players. Furthermore, the team usually covers the taxes on a player's income, resulting in a higher take-home pay compared to an NBA contract where taxes can reduce earnings significantly.
It is worth noting that the competition level in Israel is fierce, and many overseas players aspire to join the league. Some foreign players, particularly Americans, have chosen to convert to Judaism to gain Israeli citizenship and bypass the import quota. This practice has been common for over 30 years, and there are currently a significant number of Americans in Israel's pro ranks.
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Salaries compared to Europe
Israel's Premier Basketball League, also known as the Winner's League, is considered one of the highest-paying basketball leagues in Europe. The average foreigner in the league can expect to make between $140,000 and $350,000 USD per year, with the best players regularly earning over $1 million USD. In comparison, Greek basketball players earn an average of $60,000 to $250,000 USD, with top players earning millions.
Israeli basketball has a reputation for attracting top talent from Europe and offering lucrative salaries. The league's powerhouses, such as Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem, are known for their high-paying contracts, with players earning upwards of $300,000 USD per year. Maccabi Tel Aviv, in particular, has the largest budget in the league and is renowned for signing high-profile players like Jordan Farmar, Amare Stoudemire, and Deni Avdija.
While the Premier League dominates the Israeli basketball scene in terms of salaries, other divisions offer competitive wages. The second and third divisions also provide opportunities for players to earn a decent income, although the salaries are not as high as in the Premier League.
One advantage of playing basketball in Israel is the tax structure. In many countries, players are responsible for paying taxes on their income, which can significantly reduce their take-home pay. However, in Israel, it is common for the team to pay the taxes, resulting in a higher net income for the players.
Additionally, Israel has a unique dynamic where American players of African-American descent often convert to Judaism to gain Israeli citizenship. This practice has been in place for over 30 years and allows players to bypass import quotas and compete as nationals. As a result, Israeli basketball has a diverse range of players, and the salaries for both nationals and foreigners can be quite similar.
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Tax benefits
Israel's Premier Basketball League, also known as the Winner's League, is the highest-paying domestic pro league in Israel. The league has a large number of visiting players, mainly from the US.
In Israel, tax laws impose a tax on all income produced and/or accrued in the country. This means that a non-resident who generates income within Israel will be liable to pay tax on that income in Israel. However, to encourage the entry of foreign players and promote Israeli teams, tax benefits have been established for foreign athletes working in Israel.
Under the Income Tax Ordinance regulations, "Income Tax Regulations (Foreign Athlete) 1998", enacted under Section 75A of the Income Tax Ordinance, special tax benefits have been specified for foreign athletes. For example, foreign athletes in Israel can benefit from a reduced rate of national insurance fees – 2% compared to the 19% imposed on resident athletes.
In addition, Israel has signed treaties with over 50 countries around the world to regulate the taxation rights of the countries that are parties to the treaty and establish rules for which country has the primary right to tax certain incomes. These treaties supersede the internal law applicable in the treaty-signing countries, and if the treaty provisions are more lenient than the internal tax laws of the countries, the treaty provisions prevail.
It is important to note that the tax benefits for foreign athletes in Israel may vary depending on the specific regulations and treaties in place. Additionally, as an American citizen, you are always required to file your taxes and report all income, regardless of where you live. Consulting with an international tax advisor is recommended to ensure compliance with the relevant tax laws and regulations.
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Lifestyle benefits
Israel has become an increasingly popular destination for American basketball players who are looking to play abroad. The country offers a great lifestyle and the opportunity to earn six figures in a country that reveres American talent.
One of the main lifestyle benefits of playing pro basketball in Israel is the sense of community. Former player Drew Kennedy, who played for Hapoel Galil Elyon, described how he and his teammates experienced a sense of community like never before, and learned about the resilience Israelis show in a time of crisis. This is a unique opportunity for players to become immersed in Israeli culture and build strong connections with the local community.
Another benefit is the opportunity to represent a country that is passionate about basketball. Israeli basketball fans are known for their passion and excitement for the sport, with the country's teams and athletes gaining international success and recognition. The Israeli Basketball Association, the country's professional basketball league, has eleven teams based in cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Herzliya. The league is highly competitive, with teams like Maccabi Tel Aviv consistently ranking among the best in Europe and winning multiple championships.
In addition to the competitive nature of the league, players also benefit from a more relaxed training schedule. Unlike other countries, Israeli teams typically train once a day, providing players with more free time and a less rigorous schedule. This can be especially attractive to foreign players who are used to a more demanding training regimen.
Lastly, playing pro basketball in Israel offers the unique opportunity to become an ambassador for the Jewish state. Many American players have formed strong attachments to Israel, with some even marrying Israeli women, serving in the country's army, representing Israel in international competitions, and converting to Judaism. This cultural exchange creates a lasting impact and contributes to the country's reputation as a welcoming and diverse nation.
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Recruiting US-Israeli players
Israel's Premier Basketball League, also known as the Winner League, is known for its high salaries and has been recognised as having some of the top talents in Europe. The average foreigner in the league can expect to make between $140,000 and $350,000 USD per year, with the best Israeli players earning a similar salary. Maximum salaries have been known to reach around $1 million USD per year.
The league actively recruits American-Israeli players, and the economic difference between foreigners and nationals can be slim. The advantage for Israeli teams in signing Jewish players is that they can take on Israeli citizenship and enable the team to circumvent the limit of five foreign players in each squad. This has been a common practice in Israel for over 30 years, with many non-Jewish American players converting to Judaism, sometimes before marrying an Israeli citizen.
Israeli agent Raz Gal, who specialises in bringing US Jewish players to Israel, has stated that the top US Jewish players in the country can earn up to $140,000 net, plus a free car and apartment. If they make it to one of Israel's two richest teams, Maccabi Tel Aviv or Hapoel Jerusalem, they can expect to more than double their salary.
There is a large pool of potential recruits in the US, with many talented young Jewish players in the NCAA system. Some notable examples of US-Israeli players who have gone on to have successful careers in Israel include Maccabi Tel Aviv shooting guard John DiBartolomeo, Maccabi Tel Aviv power forward Alex Tyus, and Maccabi Haifa captain Willy Workman.
In addition to the financial benefits of playing in Israel, US players also benefit from the fact that their teams will usually pay their taxes, resulting in a higher net income compared to an NBA contract where taxes can take up a significant portion of the salary.
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Frequently asked questions
The average salary for a foreigner in Israel's Premier Basketball League is roughly $140,000 - $350,000 USD per year. However, the best players can expect to earn more, with the maximum salary topping out at roughly $1 million USD per year.
Players in Israel's Premier Basketball League receive excellent conditions, including convenient and spacious apartments and their own cars. In addition, their salaries are always paid on time, and the teams usually pay the taxes on their income.
American players prefer to play in Israel because of the excellent weather, upscale lifestyle, and guaranteed payment of their salaries. In addition, Israel's Premier Basketball League actively recruits American-Israeli players, and the economic difference between foreigners and nationals can be slim.
