Nothing but football.
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Reports are coming through that Louis Saha former Manchester United and France forward has been signed by IMG – Reliance. He is the first marquee player signed by IMG – Reliance for their upcoming IPL- Style league.
There names of seven other marquee players will be revealed in the days to come.
According to reports Guwahati in Assam is confirmed to host the proposed IPL Style IMG – Reliance football League.
Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium- Guwahati.
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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.
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As we reported earlier, the auctions for franchises were pushed to October end, but IMG – Reliance seems to be quietly building up their plans for the proposed IPL – style football league.
The latest buzz in the advertisement industry is that IMG – Reliance is looking for a creative partner for their league. Agencies such as McCann Erickson, Leo Burnett and Ogilvy are in the fray.
McCann Erickson currently holds the creative duties of the Reliance owned IPL team Mumbai Indians. In the coming days, it will be more clear who will be offered the creative duties for the proposed IPL Style football League.
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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
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Tainted and exiled former IPL chariman – Lalit Modi turns his attention to football now. Lalit Modi was recently banned from BCCI. According to a report in The Indian Express, Modi has had Initial discussion with AIFF president about starting a IPL style league.
Read More : Lalit Modi may now dabble in IPL-style football league