Bad day in the media for Indian Super League?

ISL, Indian Super League, Player Draft, Soccer, League, India, Football, France, Czech Republic, Spain, France, Czech Republic, Brazil, Portugal, Colombia , South Korea , Argentina, Canada, Serbia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, England, Greece , Cameroon,Indian Super League had a bad field day in the press yesterday.

A news piece that appeared on Livemint did not cut a good picture.

The article talks about IMG-R and Star’s difficulty in finding suitable associate sponsors for the league. Indian Super league had earlier announced Hero MotoCorp Ltd as the title sponsor. It was also mentioned that team sponsorships were equally hard to come by. Average advert rates for the front of the players’ jersey is Rs.5 crore, the back costs Rs.3 crore and each sleeve is priced at Rs.1-1.5 crore according to the article.

The second one should concern the  franchise owners. An article in www.afaqs.com talks about how the franchise owners might suffer because unlike IPL in which a Dollar-Rupee ratio cap is existing, ISL has no such measures. The article claims that exchange rate fluctuations could result in 10% variation in the pay outs for foreign players and thereby escalating costs for the franchises. Such financial strain for franchises in the very early stages of the league might not bode well for its future. Read the article here.

Well, before this is wound up it has to be mentioned that Indian Super League sort of papered over all these cracks by the end of the day when the signing of former French International Nicolas Anelka was announced by the Mumbai franchise.

Guwahati Confirmed to Host IMG – Reliance League

According to reports Guwahati in Assam is confirmed to host the proposed IPL Style IMG – Reliance football League.

guwahati, IMG - Reliance, Football, IPL, League, Soccer

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium- Guwahati.
Image courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guwahaticity/

Guwahati and Hyderabad were optional venues with one of them to be selected eventually for the tourney. With IMG – Reliance and Sports Authority of Assam (SAA) signing an MOU on 17th October, it is confirmed that the league will be played in Guwahati.

It is understood that according to the MOU, the city will host seven matches of the proposed league, RS 2 lakh will be the rent for the infrastructure per match and a per day rent of Rs 60,000 will be paid by IMG – Reliance.

As part of the renovation of the stadium, new floodlights will be installed which will enable high quality telecast of the matches. The turf work is also expected to commence soon to prepare the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium, Guwahati for the league.

IMG – Reliance league auctions to be held by October end

Image Courtesy : http://www.sportzpower.com/

Image Courtesy : http://www.sportzpower.com/

Reports suggest that the auctions for the IMG – Reliance IPL style league would be held by October end. The tournament modeled on Indian Premier League, will have eight franchises across the country.

Two auctions, one for the franchisees and the other for players will be held at the end of October. The tournament will be held between January 18 and March 30 of the next year. Supposedly 20 corporates have expressed their interest in franchises.

Every franchise will have 10 foreign players including a marquee player, 7 Indians and 4 U-21 players in their roster. IMG – Reliance have shortlisted nine cities across India – Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai and Kochi, out of which one will be dropped later.

Reports also suggest that after numerous rounds of discussion with the I-league clubs, both parties have agreed upon a middle ground.

Read more : Indian football auctions to be held soon