ISL clubs urge AIFF against decision on commercial rights model

File photo of ISL fixture between NorthEast United and FC Goa in Guwahati. (ANI)

New Delhi: The Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its General Body members against taking a decision on the long-term commercial rights model when it convenes in Kolkata today for the Special General Meeting (SGM).

In a late-night email to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan, FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur -- and rest of the ISL clubs -- reiterated their concerns regarding the proposed commercial structure while "requesting for a collaborative engagement."

On Friday, ISL clubs had two virtual meetings with senior AIFF officials over the way forward but no solution was found. The two parties are warring over the commercial rights partner. AIFF are in favour of UK-based Genius Sports -- who have bid for the commercial rights -- over a 15-20 year period. The teams, however, have proposed a club-led model with Genius Sports' scope limited to data and technology partner.

In a 13-point email, Puskur and 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. "

The clubs once again said they had not been provided detailed financial projections, revenue assumptions or long-term modelling over the Genius Sports-led model. The UK-based company has bid Rs 64.4 crore annually with 5% increase for the rights of the ISL and the Federation Cup.

File photo from East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan in the ISL. (ANI)

They argued that while AIFF and Genius Sports appear financially protected under the structure, clubs — who bear the operational costs of running professional football through player salaries, staff, infrastructure and grassroots investments — have no guaranteed revenue visibility or financial safeguards. It must be mentioned that multiple clubs have acknowledged the real possibility of shutting down if things don't improve economically. Subsequently, players are also in a challenging position with their futures unclear.

The ISL teams have asked AIFF to pilot the club-led model before committing Indian football to a 15+5-year external commercial arrangement. The responsibility is now with the AIFF General Body who will discuss the commercial rights proposals for the ISL and IWL. Due to constitutional challenges and legal hurdles, the agenda can only be "discussed and deliberated". However, a tacit approval to appoint Genius Sports as commercial partner cannot be completely ruled out.

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