ISL cost puzzle deepens as budget estimation overshoots

Bengaluru: The Indian Super League clubs are trying to find common ground with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) over the start of the much-delayed season as the absence of a commercial partner continues to trouble an outcome. 

With the idea of playing the league at two centralised venues (in Goa and Kolkata in two groups or conferences of east and west with each winner playing the final) seems a favoured option, the concerns over the cost deepened when the preliminary estimate for hosting the Goa leg alone was shared during an unofficial interaction on Tuesday.

The projected figure, roughly Rs 42 crore including production and broadcast costs, surprised many as this only covers one part of the league. The combined cost may exhaust AIFF’s stated budget of Rs 70 crore under its proposed 20-year proposal.

Clubs have been told that they might have to contribute around Rs 2.5 crore in the season, which was more than double the standard participation fee of Rs 1 crore proposed a few days earlier. Clubs earlier had broadly accepted the revised revenue-sharing formula put forward by the federation (in a 10-50-40 ratio among AIFF, clubs and commercial partners) but acceptance has always been conditional on AIFF finding a credible commercial partner.

"If the Goa leg alone is costing Rs 42 crore (for a curtailed season), the operational cost will go beyond the suggested budget of Rs 70 crore for a normal season," a club official told DH. "This is leading to confusion if the budget suggested is enough to run the league in a full season as well."

Meanwhile Jamshedpur FC have cleared their stance that they would play the upcoming season irrespective of the outcome between the federation and the clubs while Odisha FC said it will be difficult for them to play without a commercial partner. Reportedly, Odisha FC's CEO Raj Athwal also resigned on the day while the club is struggling for sponsors.

Clubs were also keen to point out that Tuesday’s interaction was strictly unofficial and largely exploratory as any formal meeting can only happen once AIFF receives clarity from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on a host of pending issues, including relaxation on the minimum number of domestic matches required for continental tournament qualification in what is shaping up to be a shortened season.