AIFF can easily take away the second division rights from IMG-R citing lack of any actions from their part (sure it would in the contract) but then again, our football is run by morons.
The answer Arsenalfan is in the economics. I saw a report that TRP ratings of ISL is the highest in the local language partner channels more than Star sports. Hell they earned more there, So if Local channels are provided a throw away prices for i-league 2 then why would they come back to ISL? Wont it eat into their Pie? Plus it would make viewers have football fatigue.
They (IMG & Star) wants to ensure the viewership is fresh when kicking of ISL, This is similar to IPL where Domestic competitions like Ranji are ignored keeping the viewer fresh for IPL.
Ranji Trophy and a bunch of other domestic cricket tournaments are telecast live! BCCI isnt a moron like AIFF, they bind the domestic broadcast as a mandatory item if you wanna win their broadcasting contracts. It has been that way for almost a decade now. I am surprised you didnt know that!
The answer lies in idiocy and not economics
There is a reason why most people consider reliance unethical despite its owners being so much more visible promoting sports etc. Tata dont do half as much self promotion but have infinitely more respect from public
IMG has a perfect bedmate but I suspect they didn't budget for the resiliance of traditional clubs. If they dont completely "own" domestic football in 2 years they will quit IMO.
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They (IMG & Star) wants to ensure the viewership is fresh when kicking of ISL, This is similar to IPL where Domestic competitions like Ranji are ignored keeping the viewer fresh for IPL.
http://i-league.org/2nd-division-league/fifa-disciplinary-committee-takes-action-against-mohammedan-sc/