CHENNAI: Three months or nine? That is the raging question as far as the Indian Super League is concerned. But for Chennaiyin FC co-owner Abhishek Bachchan, the answer is simple. Over time, ISL will have to spread out over a longer period.
“Eventually that (ISL evolving into a longer format) is what is going to happen,” Abhishek told Express on Friday. “The ISL, in order to sustain its fan base and spread out its cost, will have to be a nine-month season. That is when your finances will become sustainable.”
The way Chennaiyin has evolved as football club in just over an year is commendable, but Abhishek believes the team has a long way to go. The actor, a Chelsea fan, is planning to follow the lead of Blues owner Roman Abramovic, who wasted no time in investing heavily in their training ground and youth academy.
“The dream is that Chennaiyin FC has its own stadium, residential academy and training facility,” Abhishek said. “But we are only in our second year. We have already reached out to 10,000 children. Vivek Nagul, our assistant coach, is also the head of our grassroots programme and he has been working in Chennai for the past one year. In time, there will be a youth academy and squad and we hope they can break into the senior squad.”
Many questions have been asked of the ISL’s business model, with news that most teams made losses in excess of `30 crore last year, intensifying fears that it may be unsustainable over the long run. But Abhishek chose to reassure fans he was in it for the long run. “The quality of football has superseded my expectations. We were the fourth-best attended league in the world last year and that shows the potential of Indian football. As a business it’s going to take time. But every franchise owner in the ISL has signed up for a minimum of 10 years.”
With an ISL franchise and Pro Kabaddi League team already in his kitty, one might have forgiven Bachchan Jr for eyeing upcoming IPL tenders as an opportunity to expand his portfolio. But Abhishek is adamant he will only take the dip if he is sure he can make a difference to the sport. “I will consider it only if I think I can make a difference. At this point of time, I don’t know if I can contribute to cricket. Let’s see, you never know.”