Some details of a reported agreement between the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) and IMG-Reliance Private Limited have reportedly been released in public domain yesterday (Sunday).
According to the excerpts published by national daily The Hindu, the alleged contract titled the Master Rights Agreement states that “the Parties have agreed to work together with the intent of developing the standards and the popularity of the sport of association football in India and as an Integral part of such cooperation AIFF wishes to grant to the Company and the Company wishes to acquire all Commercial Rights on the terms and conditions set out herein”.
The contract, according to the report signed in 2010, did not bear the exact date of signing. The report, referring to the first ten pages of the alleged contract, also states that it does not specify the signatories to the contract.
The contract reportedly states that “the AIFF is, at the date of the Agreement, the organiser, controller and official governing body of the Competition and the Matches and in particular is the owner and controller of the Commercial Rights.”
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“The Company (IMG Reliance) undertakes to seek to further and achieve the objectives and to seek to adhere to the values of the AIFF and thereby to assist the AIFF to improve, popularise and promote the game of football throughout India. As part of this aim, AIFF and the Company shall work together to seek to improve the status and standing of the National Team.
“The Parties have agreed to work together with the intent of developing the standards and the popularity of the sport of association football in India and as an Integral part of such cooperation AIFF wishes to grant to the Company and the Company wishes to acquire all Commercial Rights on the terms and conditions set out herein,” states the report, referring to the alleged leaked documents.
The “contract” refers to at least 46 topics covering various rights and commitments. The topics reportedly include Advertising Rights, AIFF Logos, Broadcast Rights, Clean Stadia,, Clubs, Commercial Rights, Competition(s), Data Rights, Excluded Rights, Existing Agreements, Facility Areas, Fee(s), Film Rights, Fixture List(s), Force Majeure, Franchisee Rights, Interactive Communications System, Interactive Television ,International Matches, Internet, Marks, Match(es), Merchandising Rights, Mobile Broadcast Technology, Mobile Communications Technology, National Teams, New League, Official Functions, Official Licensee, Official Status, Other Rights, Participating Players, Participating Teams, Pourage Rights, Proprietary Interests, Public Exhibition, Sponsorship Rights, Stadia, Term, Territory, Video on Demand, Video Rights, ZEEL (Zee Limited), ZEEL Rights Agreements and ZEEL Termination Deal.
The other broad areas covered by the agreement reportedly include: Franchise Rights: All rights of any kind whatsoever to grant, license and/or sell to a third party the right to participate in any of the Competitions including without limitation the New League. The New League is today’s ISL, states the report.
Fixture List(s): The schedule (published in any media) containing details of all of the Competitions and Matches (which details shall include but not be limited to the names of the Participating Teams, Stadia, and details of the Match kick-off times) which shall be mutually agreed and prepared by AIFF and the Company, as soon as practicable, but wherever possible not less than 3 months prior to the Matches taking place.
Term: The period commencing on the date of satisfaction of the Conditions and expiring on the fifth anniversary thereof (in other words on the date falling five years thereafter) after which the Term shall automatically and without the need for either Party to take any action or provide any additional consideration, be extended with Immediate effect for a further additional period of 10 years subject to any extensions or renewals as set out in this Agreement or to earlier termination in accordance with the provisions hereof (and references to the “Term” In this Agreement shall be deemed to include said additional ten year period together with the period of any such extension or renewal).
Disclaimer: The content of this report is not independently verified by InsideSport.co and is based on a report published in the national daily.
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