Praful Patel questions why 'big' I-League clubs were unable to match revenues generated by ISL clubs

“I firmly believe that the ISL has been a disruptor for Indian football. But this disruption has been has been good as this has led us to sit and discuss the problems in Indian football and look for solutions. Otherwise before the disruption, everyone was like, ‘Things are going on, let them go on’. If they (certain clubs) were big names before, why were they not able to find big money? If they have such a big fan base, why were they not able to make the money collected now by the ISL clubs?” Praful Patel told Goal.com.

Earlier this week, ending speculations of a merger between the I-League and the ISL, the AIFF has virtually recognised the latter as the country’s top league. The AIFF, and their marketing partners IMG-Reliance, presented the new roadmap declaring ISL as the top league in the country, and will be followed by League 1(the I-League), League 2 and League 3, starting from November next year. With the proposed increase in teams, AIFF President Praful Patel believes that this will reduce the friction between the I-League and the ISL clubs.

For the sustenance of lower clubs, the AIFF also promised to put a central revenue system in place. The AIFF would also encourage more clubs to come up and are hoping for a team from every state by 2020.

Praful Patel said that the new structure will revenue generation and will also lead to a more even distribution of funds throughout the leagues.

“I agree that this is an issue, but this issue someday has to be resolved and we have to catch the bull by the horns. This isn’t a shortcut, but is in fact a transparent way to establish three tiers in the league and improve Indian football. What is commercialization in football? It is based on viewership, attendance in stadia, sponsorships, etc. That is all we are looking to target,” he concluded.