Jeffrey Rosen, owner of the Israeli basketball team that hired Bernie Fine, said he had no reservations about hiring the former Syracuse University associate men’s basketball coach.
Rosen, who owns the Maccabi Bazan Haifa basketball team, said in an email that Fine was hired because of his 36 years of experience at a top collegiate basketball program. No criminal charges have been filed against Fine, and the team’s management believes individuals are innocent until proven guilty, Rosen said.
Maccabi Bazan Haifa, which plays in the Israeli Basketball Super League, announced it hired Fine as a basketball consultant Thursday. Fine will be based in the United States and consult the team on player personnel decisions, as well as help the team’s coaching search for next season.
Rosen and Fine met briefly during the team’s annual tryouts in South Florida last June when Fine’s son tried out for the Division II team, Rosen said.
Fine was fired from the university Nov. 27 after allegations surfaced that he sexually abused former ball boys Bobby Davis and Mike Lang. Fine has denied all allegations and has not been charged.
Rosen, the chairman of Triangle Financial Services, a Florida-based sports and entertainment investment firm, bought Maccabi Bazan Haifa in July 2007. The firm previously sponsored the Dragonflies, a semi-professional baseball team based in Hong Kong, China, according to the TFS website.
Before joining TFS, Rosen was the president of international and chief operating officer at Rose Art, a toy and art and crafts manufacturing company, according to the website.
jliannet@syr.edu