I-League clubs association express concern over broadcast uncertainty ahead of new season

A comedy of errors and miscommunication has put the AIFF facing immense scrutiny.

The I-League Clubs Association (ILCA) in a recent letter to the executive members of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has raised urgent concerns over the lack of clarity surrounding the broadcast and commercial rights of the I-League. The actions of the AIFF have led to ILCA raising serious concerns with the 2024-25 season scheduled to commence in less than a week.

The public disclosure of this miscommunication and mishandling suggests more trouble brewing behind the scenes. The letter from the ILCA highlights the I-League clubs’ frustration over unfulfilled promises and the ongoing struggle to secure a credible broadcast partner. The whole situation has severely jeopardized the league’s visibility and survival in the upcoming season.

I-League club owners raise valid concerns

The letter from the ILCA emphasized that the AIFF had promised a final confirmation on the broadcasting arrangements by November 9, 2024.

However, with the season opener approaching within seven days, no clarity was provided by India’s apex football organization. Due to this delay, I-League clubs have got the short end of the stick with sponsors, and fans alike, raising concerns over the league’s promotional efforts.

In early 2024, the clubs had actively negotiated with Sony, a leading sports broadcaster in India, and worked towards developing a cost-effective production plan.

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The plan included a six-plus-two camera setup on both linear TV and OTT platforms and promised to deliver high-quality coverage. To get the deal done, I-League clubs even committed to funding at least 50% of production costs while offering additional cash prizes to offset expenses.

Despite these efforts, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey raised objections to production costs and floated a silent tender. The move eventually led to awarding the rights to an inexperienced Kolkata-based company, SSEN, a decision that has left the clubs perplexed.

Are the AIFF putting I-League’s future in danger?

According to the letter, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey had assured earlier this year that the matches would be broadcast on a national television platform. He wanted to ensure that this was achieved without burdening clubs with any of the production expenses. But with no tangible results, the league’s future now appears to be in an uncomfortable position.

The clubs have collectively requested the executive committee members of the AIFF to intervene and ensure a sustainable broadcast deal can be secured. Once considered the premier league of football in India, the I-League has witnessed a significant decline in recent years following the emergence of the Indian Super League (ISL).

With the ILCA calling for an immediate meeting with the AIFF to resolve these issues, all stakeholders’ hopes rest on the AIFF. The federation will have to step up to safeguard the league’s future and ensure the smooth functioning of a league in desperate need of immediate attention.

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