Mohun Bagan announce new co-sponsor for the upcoming season

The Mariners are also searching for a lead sponsor to join the ISL.

Mohun Bagan have announced the renewal of their co-sponsorship contract with business tycoons Ripley Company for the 2018-19 season on Tuesday. But, Ripley will not be their main sponsors and it seems like the Mariners are aiming to bring in some big corporates who can help their financial situation as they push for entry into the Indian Super League (ISL) next season.

It was revealed by President Swapan Sadhan Bose last month in Mohun Bagan's Annual General Meeting, that the Mariners have been given the opportunity to take part in the ISL next season. Bose also indicated that East Bengal had been actively seeking participation in the ISL and was pretty vocal about the fact that, if their rivals were to make the move, then the Mariners will do everything possible to follow them into the cash-rich league.

Bose also indicated that Bagan were actively looking for a big sponsor who can help them gain entry into the ISL. He stated that they'd been given the financial needs required to enter the ISL, which includes paying the ₹400 crore 10-year participation fee. He sounded pretty convinced that East Bengal were close to gaining the required financial muscle and joining the ISL, after having productive talks with the AIFF and IMG-Reliance during the Super Cup a few months ago.

ALSO READ

Kerala Blasters secure the services of French defender Cyril Kali

Top 5 coaches who could replace Steve Coppell at Jamshedpur FC

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das slams IOA decision barring India's participation in Asian Games

It was also revealed in the hectic AGM that Mohun Bagan would transition into a Public Limited Company in the next few years, allowing their supporters to have a bigger say in the running of the club. But, that seems quite a long time away, as the Mariners now dearly need some big sponsors to help them pounce on this opportunity to finally play in the ISL.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

However, an important thing to understand from this renewal is that Ripley Company will not be Mohun Bagan's main sponsor for next season and that the Mariners will not be able to compete in the ISL with only them on board. Ripley will not be able to give them the kind of money needed to participate in the ISL, so the Mariners need to find some big, main sponsor, who can fund most of the money needed to gain entry into the ISL.

For now, Mohun Bagan are undergoing some rigorous pre-season training ahead of the Calcutta Football League (CFL), which is scheduled to begin later this month. The Mariners have assembled a very good squad and are gunning for the championship, which has been won by rivals East Bengal for almost the past nine seasons.