actually most of u maynot remember this but the birth of the NFL in 1996 was met with similar hype and optimism. no new clubs were created, but the best clubs at that time was clubbed together in a whole new professional format.
you had fans the stadium, TV beemed live throughout the country. i still even remember that final league match where JCT wob and were waiting on the pitch to get a confirmation that churchill had drawn so they could celebrate.
it was a sucess as much as you have here in ISL.
we all know what happened to the NFL after a couple of seasons.
so let i-league develop in its own pace while we let ISL see how far they can reach.
@DX In those days, Star Sports showed NFL. I remember Star Sports Team even went to Phagwara (JCT Mills Township) in Punjab to show NFL match. Coverage was better then what Ten Action shows now 18 years later. Those days JCT was a star team because of Bhutia and Vijayan. But then star Sports left in between the season later on and then Zee Sports were horrible in their coverage. ISL future depends on Ambani now. Whatever their business model is, they will take a call whether they made profit or they want an exit.
@goalkeeper How about branch of Bhowanipore FC in all western countries? Bhowanipore Barcelona FC, Bhowanipore Munich FC? Also Prayag/Chirag Computers New York FC!!!!
@coolgagan, how ADK('just a marketing club') are 'actually interested in developing the game in India'? I must have missed a lot about them. They must be -
1. building age group teams
2. Having grassroots program
3. Building infra (building stadiums, not just LED signboards)
4. Doing all those
5. Having intension for pursuing at least some of those
I could see only the self-marketing, but that may be only the visible part. Again, I may have missed something ...
@Deb_Ban All those points you mentioned are possible (atleast intention wise) if a League/Club follow FIFA guidelines. This is not a FIFA recognised league-so they dont have to. Even the fake owners are acting as owners-forget about age group teams or infrastructure.
Comments
no new clubs were created, but the best clubs at that time was clubbed together in a whole new professional format.
you had fans the stadium, TV beemed live throughout the country. i still even remember that final league match where JCT wob and were waiting on the pitch to get a confirmation that churchill had drawn so they could celebrate.
it was a sucess as much as you have here in ISL.
we all know what happened to the NFL after a couple of seasons.
so let i-league develop in its own pace while we let ISL see how far they can reach.
things can change in 2-3 seasons.
ISL future depends on Ambani now. Whatever their business model is, they will take a call whether they made profit or they want an exit.