Football, the world’s most popular sport, has captured the imagination of sports fans in India like never before thanks to the advent of the Indian Super League (ISL). Launched in 2013, the ISL has grown rapidly over the past decade to become one of the top football leagues in Asia. This article will trace the genesis of the ISL, its growth in popularity, the investments it has attracted, its impact on the national team, and the future possibilities it has opened up for the development of football in India.
The Origins of ISL
The ISL was founded in 2013 by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the national governing body for football in India, along with Reliance Industries and sports management company IMG Worldwide. The league was conceptualized with the aim of revolutionizing the culture of football spectatorship in India and making the sport more popular.
To give the league initial sparkle, the organizers got Bollywood stars and cricket icons to own teams, tapped into India’s passion for cinema by scheduling matches in the evening prime time, and adopted marketing strategies similar to the cash-rich Indian Premier League cricket tournament.
The League Takes Off
In its debut season in 2013 with eight teams, the ISL saw keen contests and good attendance. The inaugural final at a packed Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata exceeded expectations.
Table showing year-wise teams, viewership and attendance growth:
| Year | No. of Teams | TV Viewership (millions) | Average Match Attendance |
| 2013 | 8 | 60 | 24,357 |
| 2023 | 12 | 200 | 19,000 |
The league signed high-profile players like Alessandro Del Piero and Robert Pires to create hype. Investments flowed in not just from corporate houses but also from Bollywood stars like Ranbir Kapoor, cricket icons like Sachin Tendulkar, and other celebrities.
By 2023, the ISL had expanded to 12 teams from 8 at inception. Television viewership had gone up from 60 million in 2013 to 200 million in 2021. The average match attendance has remained robust between 19,000-24,000.
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Impact on Indian Football
The ISL has transformed Indian football in just a decade. It has provided an alternative platform for domestic talent to flourish outside of the I-League, which was the premier competition earlier. Young Indian players today aspire to make it in the ISL and earn lucrative contracts.
The financial muscle of ISL clubs has improved the ecosystem around the sport. Investment in youth academies has gone up, infrastructure like training facilities and stadiums has improved, and there is more focus on sports science and medicine.
The ISL has also had a positive impact on the national team. India has climbed up the FIFA rankings, breaking into the top 100. Young talent like Sunil Chhetri have blossomed during the ISL era. India has done well in international competitions like the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The Road Ahead
As the ISL enters its second decade, the goal is to build on the solid base created and become one of Asia’s top leagues competing with the likes of the Chinese Super League.
The league aims to expand its television audience to 500 million fans in the next decade. It also wants to attract higher quality international talents in their prime to raise the quality of play. Brand ambassadors like cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar will play a key role in increasing viewership.
Overall, the ISL has kickstarted a football revolution in India. It has made the sport aspirational for corporates and fans alike. If current growth continues, ISL is well on its way to becoming a global force in football from Asia.
Conclusion
In just a decade since its launch, the ISL has achieved immense success in boosting the culture of football spectatorship in India. Television viewership has grown multi-fold. Corporate investments have flowed in, improving infrastructure and facilities. The national team has benefitted from the platform the ISL has provided. As the league builds on its strong foundation, the future of Indian football led by the ISL looks brighter than ever before.