Exclusive: Revamped ISL to be open to all clubs

IMG-Reliance have submitted a new plan for the proposed merger of the I-League and the cash rich extravaganza…

IMG-Reliance the organizers of the cash rich Indian Super League (ISL) have proposed a new plan to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the proposed merger of the I-League and the on-going annual event. As per the plans, the new unified league under the banner of the ISL would be open to all clubs including current franchises and existing I-League clubs. Entry to the top league will be based on budgetary constraints and each club must be able to allocate an annual budget of ₹ 40-50Cr which includes a franchise fee. The ISL would then become the top flight of Indian football in a 3-tier system that will also include League 1 and League 2. While there will be no relegation from the top league in the early phase the second and third tier will have both promotion and relegation. New clubs can be inducted into the top division if they can meet the budgetary requirements and other conditions laid out by the organisers. If both leagues are merged next year then the league will start in November and finish in April from 2017-18 and will be followed by a Super Cup lasting 2 months. If the leagues do not merge next year, which is likely, then it will start in September 2018 and finish in March (7-month league) 2019 followed by a Super Cup . The organizers hope to raise a whopping ₹ 500cr from central sponsorship in the proposed new leagues system which will be distributed among the participating clubs in ISL ( Merged League ) , League 1 and League 2 clubs. Follow @mrunalnakashe1 [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]