By Samindra Kunti
October 1 – Atletico de Kolkata were beaten 2-0 by Kerala Blasters in the opening match of the fifth season of the Indian Super League on Saturday. But while the league has started, doubts remain about the league’s commercial blueprint on what was a somewhat understated season kick-off compared to previous years.
Last season the league introduced a raft of new rules with franchises no longer required to sign a marquee player and the minimum requirement to field six Indian players. The league also expanded its schedule to run for four months, double the length of previous editions. Those rules have been maintained for the 2018-2019 season.
The opening ceremony was remarkably low-key, lacking the customary razzmatazz and fireworks. This season IMG, one of the league’s main bankrollers, pulled out as sponsor.
They exited quietly from Football Sports Development Limited, the holding company of the Indian Super League, days before the new season’s kick-off. Reliance, owned by the Ambani family, acquired IMG’s stake for an undisclosed amount, upping its holding to 65% in the league, according to the Economic Times.
IMG’s exit has caused speculation about the behemoth’s intentions in India. They were a driving force behind the successful launch of the Indian Premier League in cricket.
Before the start of the season five ISL clubs failed to obtain a playing license after failing to comply with the AFC club licensing criteria – Kerala Blasters, Mumbai City, Pune City, Delhi Dynamos and Jamshedpur had to ask for exemptions. Next season the ‘one city, one team’ rule will go, paving the way for the Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan to join the ISL which theoretically could provide a big boost in support for the league.
The challenge for the ISL is to create more credibility as the league cements its place as India’s number one league supplanting the old I-League. The winner of this season’s ISL will gain entry to the qualifiers of the AFC Cup, the Asian equivalent of the Europa League. The ISL will run until March, but will break up for the 2019 Asian Cup as India will participate for the first time since 2011 in the continental championship.
For the ISL and the Indian federation there are questionmarks over the commercial model for the professional club game in India. There is little evidence to suggest that a league founded along commercial lines with little incentive to develop the Indian game from the bottom-up is sustainable. By general estimation franchises spend just 10% of their budgets on the grassroots and youth development.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1713583296labto1713583296ofdlr1713583296owedi1713583296sni@i1713583296tnuk.1713583296ardni1713583296mas1713583296
