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Importance of Indian Super League

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Indian Super League

Chennaiyin FC ISL India
Photo courtesy of Chennaiyin FC Facebook

Indian Super League

Chennaiyin FC ISL India
Photo courtesy of Chennaiyin FC Facebook

The Indian Super League (ISL), which was launched in October 2014, has finally brought international attention and money to Indian soccer. By bringing in notable foreigners like Alessandro Del Piero, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg, the league is beginning to wake the nation that FIFA termed the 'sleeping giant' of football.

Indian Super League

Luis Garcia Atletico de Kolkata ISL Indian Super League
Photo courtesy of ISL- Indian Super League Facebook page

Indian Super League

Luis Garcia Atletico de Kolkata ISL Indian Super League
Photo courtesy of ISL- Indian Super League Facebook page

56 million Indians watched the first week of the ISL - a figure that actually compares quite favorably with the audience of 140 million for the IPL's opening two weeks.

The more important figure, however, is that the ISL's Week 1 audience was actually 15 times that for the opening games of the I-League, India's domestic football league. Makes sense considering the international talent brought in for the ISL.

Indian Super League

Indian Super League ISL Atletico de Kolkata
Photo courtesy of Atletico de Kolkata Facebook

Indian Super League

Indian Super League ISL Atletico de Kolkata
Photo courtesy of Atletico de Kolkata Facebook

The league is the biggest private Indian sports venture since the IPL in 2008. The owners of its eight teams pay million each for 10-year franchises. The EPL and many the of world football's major sponsors are involved.

With a model designed for television and a background that spans the globe, the ISL is here to stay.

Rohit Ghosh is a Senior Writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RohitGhosh. “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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