Guess @DX is right, AIFF know better than to ask these big clubs to merge with ATK, the fans would not make it possible... BUT If AIFF does so, we can safely say Football in India is as good as gone. Asking 100+ yrs old clubs to shunt their identity, and fan following of generations is not viable.
Also, AIFF said ISL is looking for a new venue, So ATM probably should Co-partner and buy the Delhi or Pune franchisees, that are not doing SO well in ISL.
And ATM is really stupid to do that ? They will leave a market like Kolkata and go to Delhi ? :P Delhi is a place where even the teams like Man utd, Real Madrid or barca will fail to market themselves, leave alone ATM. How has the tie up of Fiorentina with FCPC been benefical to the serie A club? It was a failure for Feynoord too at Delhi...Dude, Delhi is a place where stands are not filled up to even 30% when a legend like Del Piero plays. Why will ATM risk the stability they have (in terms of popularity/fan following) in Kolkata for Pune or Delhi?
These tie-ups require stable management.. Neither Delhi or Kerala have that at present. Whereas the Kolkata management has been efficient and professional to secure and maintain such a partnership. ATM is not here to make any profits as of now. Its important for them to have a better brand value than anything else
Ppl need to understand that attendances in stands hardly matter in this case. The revenue windfall out of merchandise far outweigh that of ticket sales of matches.
Merchandise potential (atleast legally not like those 100 -150 bucks outside the stadium) is higher in delhi as against kolkata.
Merchandise potential is directly proportional to Fan following. They hardly have 20 000 fans in the stands , where more than 50% tickets are either free or around 50 bucks Do you really think that such Delhi fans will show interest in buying "original" merchandises? Match revenue from a massive crowd of 50-60 000 has more finacial rewards than the bare minimum merchandise sales that "might" be possible in Delhi....And are you really kidding me? Delhi has more merchandise potential than Kolkata ? That 100-150 bucks outside stadium jersey is not only specific for Kolkata. I doubt Delhi fans who are unwilling to spend more than 100 Rs on ticket will buy a branded original DDFC jersey of Puma costing around 1000 bucks !!!
ATK should be made to compete directly against EB MB. They have money and management, there is no need to hide them. ATK 's existence or exit isn't critical to Bengali football culture or impact or popularity.
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BUT
If AIFF does so, we can safely say Football in India is as good as gone.
Asking 100+ yrs old clubs to shunt their identity, and fan following of generations is not viable.
Whereas the Kolkata management has been efficient and professional to secure and maintain such a partnership. ATM is not here to make any profits as of now. Its important for them to have a better brand value than anything else
Merchandise potential (atleast legally not like those 100 -150 bucks outside the stadium) is higher in delhi as against kolkata.
Buy the jersey later..