The Football Sports Development (FSDL) today put forward an augment in the Indian Super League (ISL) ‘Shield Winners’ prize money. The increase sees the prize pool go up by ₹3 Crore, starting from the 2021-22 season.
The League Winners Shield, granted to the table toppers were presented with a cash prize of ₹50 Lakhs in the last two seasons. Associated with the ISL prize money reallocation, FSDL have allocated a sum of ₹3.5 Crore as cash reward for the League Winners. This is being done to bring a uniformity in the prize money distribution across the five cash prize categories.
In addition, the League Winners are rewarded with the highest honour. They are given the chance to don the colors of India in Asia’s showpiece club football competition – the AFC Champions League. FC Goa were its maiden winners in 2019-20.
Presently, Mumbai City FC are the bearers. They successfully did the ‘double’ along with winning their first Indian Super League trophy in 2020-21.
Winners of the final, ISL Champions, will now be rewarded ₹6 Crore (previously ₹8 Cr). The runners-up will be offered ₹3 Crore (previously ₹4 Cr). The other two semi-finalists will continue to pocket a sum of ₹1.5 Crore each.
For calculations, following are three scenarios when a club goes on to win the League Shield in ISL 2021-22:
- The table toppers will be guaranteed an amount of ₹3.5 Crore.
- As added incentive, if the club continues onward to win the ISL Championship, they would stand to gain a total windfall of ₹9.5 Crore.
- If placed as runners-up in the ISL final, the club would obtain a total of ₹6.5 Crore.
- In a situation where the table topper comes in at third or fourth in the knock out competition, the club earns a minimum of ₹5 Crore.
The total prize money pool for the Indian Super League 2021-22 remains ₹15.5 Crore.
ISL 2021-22 kicks off on November 19. Last term’s finalist ATK Mohun Bagan will be taking on Kerala Blasters FC at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.
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