ISL clubs call for ‘no binding decision’ on commercial partner at AIFF SGM today

File photo of the ISL match between North East United and FC Goa in Guwahati. (OR) New Delhi: Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its general body members not to take a decision on the long-term commercial rights model when it meets in Kolkata today for an extraordinary general meeting (SGM).In a late-night email to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and deputy general secretary M Satyanarayan, FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur – and the rest of the ISL clubs – reiterated their concerns about the proposed business structure while “requesting cooperation”.On Friday, the ISL clubs held two virtual meetings with senior AIFF officials on the way forward, but no solution was found. The two sides are vying for a trading rights partner.The AIFF has supported British company Genius Sports – which bid for the commercial rights – for 15-20 years. However, the teams proposed a club model with the scope of Genius Sports limited to a data and technology partner.In a 13-point email, Puskur and the clubs demanded that “no binding decision be taken at the special general meeting scheduled for tomorrow (May 23). The clubs remain willing and ready to continue to work constructively with the AIFF and Genius Sports to reach a common and financially sustainable framework that will protect the interests of all stakeholders and most importantly secure the future of Indian football.”The clubs reiterated that they were not provided with detailed financial projections, revenue assumptions or long-term modeling under the model led by Genius Sports. The UK-based company offered Rs 64.4 crore annually with a 5% increase for the ISL and Federation Cup rights.

File photo of East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan in ISL. (OR)

They argued that while the AIFF and Genius Sports appear to be financially protected under the structure, the clubs – which bear the operational costs of running professional football through player salaries, staff, infrastructure and investment at local level – have no guaranteed revenue visibility or financial guarantees.It should be noted that several clubs have acknowledged the real possibility of closure if things do not improve economically. Subsequently, the players are also in a difficult position and their future is not clear.The ISL teams have asked the AIFF to pilot a club-led model before committing Indian football to a 15+5-year external trade deal.The onus is now on the AIFF General Body to discuss commercial rights proposals for ISL and IWL. Due to constitutional challenges and legal hurdles, the agenda can only be “discussed and debated”. However, tacit consent to the appointment of Genius Sports as a commercial partner cannot be completely ruled out.