KPMG to assess ‘viability’ of Indian football commercial rights bid

The AIFF executive committee has submitted the long-term commercial rights bids for the three club competitions to KPMG for audit. The decision was taken at the request of ISL clubs to avoid a binding decision on the 15+5 rights cycle. The club will also meet the bidders to resolve doubts and ensure transparency before the matter is considered by the entire AIFF body.

New Delhi: All India Football Federation (AIFF) Executive Committee has decided to Three long-term bids for commercial rights to club competitions to KPMG to “assess feasibility and key aspects”. The decision came a day after indian premier league (ISL) Clubs urge governing body not to make “binding decision” on 15+5 rights cycle.AIFF receives three bids: FanCode and Genius Sports (for ISL and Confederation Cup) and Capri Sports (for Indian Women’s League and IWL 2). Genius Sports’ bid is Rs 643.9 million per year (approximately Rs 2,129 million in ’20), while FanCode’s bid is Rs 360 million per year (approximately Rs 1,190 million). Capri Sports was the sole bidder for the women’s football project, offering a whopping Rs 150 crore over 20 years.

“Three relevant commercial rights bids were received from FanCode and Genius Sports (for ISL and Confederation Cup) and Capri Sports (for IWL and IWL2) and the process has been referred to the Executive Committee,” AIFF said in a statement.The statement continued: “Following detailed deliberations, it has been decided that KPMG will prepare a comprehensive comparative table to assess the feasibility and key aspects of the bid.”During the bid opening process on March 27, the club said there was insufficient time to review the request for quotation (RFQ) documents. This important document was shared with the clubs only 12 hours before the bid opening.The club is also unhappy with the proposed 60-30-10 revenue model between clubs, commercial partners and federations. They require bidders to conduct individual demonstrations to evaluate and understand their approach.During the AIFF Executive Committee meeting, it was made clear that the process would be followed as per the requirements of the clubs.“To ensure greater clarity and transparency in the process, clubs associated with the competition will also hold meetings with their respective bidders to resolve any queries they may have,” AIFF said.“After preparing the comparative analysis, the bidders will be required to submit a term sheet within a stipulated time.“The matter will then be submitted to the full body of AIFF for consideration in accordance with the provisions of the AIFF Charter,” the statement read.