New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) general body entrusted the Executive Committee with finalizing the Merchandising Rights Agreement at the SGM held in Kolkata on May 23.During the SGM, the General Body authorized the Executive Council to “discuss and deliberate” on the two bidders. Given the legal and constitutional requirements, this was the most feasible today.The AIFF had received two bids for the commercial rights, from FanCode and Genius Sports. Of the two, AIFF favors UK-based Genius Sports offering Rs 64.4 crore per annum, which will grow by 5% per annum, totaling Rs 2129 crore over the 15+5-year period.“The Federation further discussed the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), for which it has received bids from two bodies. To this extent, the General Body unanimously approved that the Executive Committee be empowered to discuss and deliberate on the MRA negotiations,” said an AIFF statement after the SGM, which was attended by 23 State Committee members, ex-31 member associations. With FIFA and AFC representatives. Interestingly, the SGM was also attended by former AIFF President Praful, who is now a member of the FIFA Council.On Friday, representatives of the ISL clubs met senior AIFF officials to discuss the commercial rights deal. Clubs have expressed concerns about the model where their financial interests are unclear. As a result, the majority of clubs said in a statement that they were “now forced to review the extent of our commitment to the league beyond the current season.”Later, in an email, he asked the AIFF general body against taking any decision on the long-term commercial rights model. The clubs requested that “no binding decision be taken at tomorrow’s special general meeting. [May 23]. The clubs are ready and available to work with the AIFF and Genius Sports to arrive at a collaborative and financially sustainable framework that protects the interests of all stakeholders and, most importantly, secures the future of Indian football.”
