AIFF General Body delegates commercial rights deal finalization to Executive Committee

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Body passed the responsibility on finalising the commercial rights deal back to the Executive Committee at the SGM held in Kolkata on May 23.

During the SGM, the General Body gave the "power to discuss and deliberate" on the two bidders to the Executive Council. Given the legal and constitutional requirements, that was the maximum possible today.

The AIFF had received two bids for the commercial rights, from FanCode and Genius Sports. Of the two, the AIFF is vehemently in favour of UK-based Genius Sports which is offering Rs 64.4 crore per year, which will grow by 5% each year, totalling Rs 2129 crore over the 15+5-year cycle.

"The Federation further discussed the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), for which, it has received bids from two entities. To that extent, the General Body unanimously approved that the Executive Committee be given the power to discuss and deliberate upon the MRA negotiations," said a statement from the AIFF after the SGM which was attended by 19 Executive Committee members, 32 representatives from Member State Associations, along with representatives from FIFA and AFC.

Curiously, the SGM was also attended by former AIFF president Praful, who is now a FIFA Council member.

On Friday, representatives from the ISL clubs met senior AIFF officials to discuss the commercial rights deal. The clubs have expressed concerns about the model where their financial interests are unclear. As a result, majority of the clubs said in a statement they "are now compelled to review the extent of our commitment to the league beyond the current season."

Later, in an email, they asked AIFF General Body against taking a decision on the long-term commercial rights model. The clubs requested that "no binding decision be taken at the Special General Meeting scheduled for tomorrow [May 23]. The Clubs remain willing and available to continue engaging constructively with the AIFF and Genius Sports to arrive at a collaborative and financially sustainable framework that protects the interests of all stakeholders and, most importantly, secures the future of Indian football."