Elite Football League of India: Difference between revisions
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The '''Elite Football League of India''' ('''EFLI''') is the first men's professional [[American football]] league in [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efli.com/letter-from-the-founder.php |title=Letter from the founder |publisher=EFLI |date=2011-11-21 |accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Amit|first=Naushad|title=American football arrives in the island|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/111120/Sports/spt07.html|accessdate=11 December 2011|newspaper=Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|date=20 November 2011}}</ref> When play begins in late 2012, there will be eight<ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-23/others/30193189_1_orientation-programme-training-programme-kabaddi-player | title=American football to rock India | publisher=times of india | date=September 23, 2011 | accessdate=September 27, 2011}}</ref> teams located in various cities across India, two in Sri Lanka |
The '''Elite Football League of India''' ('''EFLI''') is the first men's professional [[American football]] league in [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efli.com/letter-from-the-founder.php |title=Letter from the founder |publisher=EFLI |date=2011-11-21 |accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Amit|first=Naushad|title=American football arrives in the island|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/111120/Sports/spt07.html|accessdate=11 December 2011|newspaper=Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|date=20 November 2011}}</ref> When play begins in late 2012, there will be eight<ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-23/others/30193189_1_orientation-programme-training-programme-kabaddi-player | title=American football to rock India | publisher=times of india | date=September 23, 2011 | accessdate=September 27, 2011}}</ref> teams located in various cities across India, two in Sri Lanka, and one in Pakistan. The EFLI will be South Asia's first [[Professional sports|professional]] American football league, and its launch is backed by both the [[Government of India]] and the [[Sports Authority of India]].<ref name="yahoo1">{{cite web|last=Ivie |first=Eric R. |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-8919377 |title=NFL stars taking American football overseas: A fan's perspective - NFL - Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref> |
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==Founding== |
==Founding== |
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{{Location map~ |India |lat=30.55|long=75.51 |label= Punjab Warriors |position=left}} |
{{Location map~ |India |lat=30.55|long=75.51 |label= Punjab Warriors |position=left}} |
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EFLI will comprise ten teams, all of which have yet to determine rosters, management and coaching staff. Players and coaches will be native Indians, |
EFLI will comprise ten teams, all of which have yet to determine rosters, management and coaching staff. Players and coaches will be native Indians, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans, but representatives from American franchises will be supporting the teams.<ref>{{cite web|last=Paliwal |first=Pradeep |url=http://www.demotix.com/news/777860/elite-football-league-india-launched |title=Elite Football League of India launched - Mumbai |publisher=Demotix.com |date=2011-08-30 |accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref> |
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The league management team's intent is to draw current [[Rugby football|rugby]] players from India over to the sport, in part by paying higher salaries than the rugby leagues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/money-scores-american-football-lures-indian-rugby-players/818872/ |title=Money scores, American football lures Indian rugby players |publisher=Indian Express |date=2011-07-18 |accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref> In the initial announcement of the league on August 5, 2011, CEO Richard Whelan noted that orientation programs had attracted over 4,000 interested players in the previous month alone.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Now-EFL-wants-to-take-India-by-storm/articleshow/9499529.cms |title=Now, EFL wants to take India by storm - Times Of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2011-08-06 |accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref> Similar orientation events are planned for Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan to attract a wide talent pool.<ref name="deccanchronicle1">{{cite web|author=August 5, 2011 Mumbai IANS |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/sport/others/american-football-comes-india-521 |title=American football comes to India |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=2011-08-05 |accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref> |
The league management team's intent is to draw current [[Rugby football|rugby]] players from India over to the sport, in part by paying higher salaries than the rugby leagues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/money-scores-american-football-lures-indian-rugby-players/818872/ |title=Money scores, American football lures Indian rugby players |publisher=Indian Express |date=2011-07-18 |accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref> In the initial announcement of the league on August 5, 2011, CEO Richard Whelan noted that orientation programs had attracted over 4,000 interested players in the previous month alone.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Now-EFL-wants-to-take-India-by-storm/articleshow/9499529.cms |title=Now, EFL wants to take India by storm - Times Of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2011-08-06 |accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref> Similar orientation events are planned for Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan to attract a wide talent pool.<ref name="deccanchronicle1">{{cite web|author=August 5, 2011 Mumbai IANS |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/sport/others/american-football-comes-india-521 |title=American football comes to India |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=2011-08-05 |accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref> |
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Although specifics about league finances have not been formally announced, officials note that 15% of revenues will be shared with India's sports ministry.<ref name="yahoo1"/> |
Although specifics about league finances have not been formally announced, officials note that 15% of revenues will be shared with India's sports ministry.<ref name="yahoo1"/> |
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While the teams represent cities across India, |
While the teams represent cities across India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, all games for the inaugural season will be hosted in a custom-fit stadium in [[Pune]]. The Sports Authority of India is providing the stadium, [[Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex]], which has capacity to hold roughly 20,000 [[spectator]]s.<ref name="yahoo1"/> SAI may also allow for similar arrangements in other cities across the country. |
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Fifty-six regular season games and two playoff games will determine the top teams. Games will be held in a [[Round-robin scheduling|round-robin]] scheduling format so that all teams play each other.<ref name="deccanchronicle1"/> |
Fifty-six regular season games and two playoff games will determine the top teams. Games will be held in a [[Round-robin scheduling|round-robin]] scheduling format so that all teams play each other.<ref name="deccanchronicle1"/> |
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{{see also|2012-13 Elite Football League of India}} |
{{see also|2012-13 Elite Football League of India}} |
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The first season will begin on Monday 12 November 2012 and will last till Monday 18 February 2013. This will have 56 matches in group stage and two play-offs. The first match will be played between Mumbai Gladiators and Pune Marathas and the last match between Hyderabad Skykings and Mumbai Gladiators.<ref>[http://www.efli.com/match-schedule.php EFLI schedule]</ref> |
The first season will begin on Monday 12 November 2012 and will last till Monday 18 February 2013. This will have 56 matches in group stage and two play-offs. The first match will be played between Mumbai Gladiators and Pune Marathas and the last match between Hyderabad Skykings and Mumbai Gladiators.<ref>[http://www.efli.com/match-schedule.php EFLI schedule]</ref> |
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==Future Expansion== |
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Teams in [[Jaipur, India]] and an unannounced city in [[Bangladesh]] are listed on the league's official website. Names, rosters, stadia and other details have yet to be publicized.<ref>{{cite web|title=Team Logos|url=http://www.efli.com/photos/team-logos.php#|work=EFLI.com|publisher=EFLI|accessdate=25 January 2012}}</ref> This would bring the total amount of franchises to ten Indian teams and one each for neighboring Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Category:Sports competitions in Sri Lanka]] |
[[Category:Sports competitions in Sri Lanka]] |
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[[Category:2011 establishments in Sri Lanka]] |
[[Category:2011 establishments in Sri Lanka]] |
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[[Category:American football in Bangladesh]] |
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[[Category:Sports competitions in Bangladesh]] |
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[[fr:Elite Football League of India]] |
[[fr:Elite Football League of India]] |
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Revision as of 22:31, 24 May 2012
| Sport | American Football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| First season | 2012 |
| CEO | Richard Whelan |
| No. of teams | 8 |
| Country |  India  Sri Lanka  Pakistan |
| Continent | Asia |
| TV partner(s) | Ten Sports |
| Official website | EFLI.com |
The Elite Football League of India (EFLI) is the first men's professional American football league in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.[1][2] When play begins in late 2012, there will be eight[3] teams located in various cities across India, two in Sri Lanka, and one in Pakistan. The EFLI will be South Asia's first professional American football league, and its launch is backed by both the Government of India and the Sports Authority of India.[4]
Founding
The EFLI was founded in mid-2011 and publicly announced on August 5, 2011. The aim of the league is to introduce American football to the Indian market and its large consumer base.[5] The organization's management team consists of both American and Indian business and entertainment executives as well as several American sports figures. American brand marketing consultant Sunday Zeller is noted as the main founder.[6]
Prominent investors include former Green Bay Packers linebacker Brandon Chillar, Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike Ditka, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin and former NFL quarterbacks Ron Jaworski and Kurt Warner.[7] Both Ditka and Irvin are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Chillar is of Indian descent.[8] Investors outside of the sports community include American actor and entertainment producer Mark Wahlberg.[9]
The EFLI will not be the first attempt to establish a professional American football league outside of the USA. NFL Europe was established in 1991, although NFL Europe eventually folded. Officials from the NFL have also expressed the possibility of starting a franchise in the United Kingdom, citing the popularity of the NFL's periodic exhibition games in London.[10] Additionally, professional American football leagues exist throughout Europe, South Korea, Japan, Israel, New Zealand, and many other countries. Cricket enjoys dominating popularity in the country, but the domestic Indian Premier League and the proposed EFLI seasons do not overlap; IPL matches generally begin in April, and EFLI games are slated to commence in November and end in February.[11]
The first regular season games are scheduled to begin in November 2012 and the playoffs will end in February 2013. Games will be broadcasted on television in India and Sri Lanka, as well as in the Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, and Pakistan on Ten Sports. This will represent a potential audience of over 500 million viewers.[4][12]
League Structure
EFLI will comprise ten teams, all of which have yet to determine rosters, management and coaching staff. Players and coaches will be native Indians, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans, but representatives from American franchises will be supporting the teams.[13]
The league management team's intent is to draw current rugby players from India over to the sport, in part by paying higher salaries than the rugby leagues.[14] In the initial announcement of the league on August 5, 2011, CEO Richard Whelan noted that orientation programs had attracted over 4,000 interested players in the previous month alone.[15] Similar orientation events are planned for Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan to attract a wide talent pool.[16]
Ownership of teams will follow a franchise system, similar to the structure of the NFL, and initial ownership will be determined in an auction format. Unlike ownership rules in other Indian sports leagues, bidding will be open to both Indian and non-Indian investors alike, so it will be India's first true international sports league.
Although specifics about league finances have not been formally announced, officials note that 15% of revenues will be shared with India's sports ministry.[4]
While the teams represent cities across India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, all games for the inaugural season will be hosted in a custom-fit stadium in Pune. The Sports Authority of India is providing the stadium, Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, which has capacity to hold roughly 20,000 spectators.[4] SAI may also allow for similar arrangements in other cities across the country.
Fifty-six regular season games and two playoff games will determine the top teams. Games will be held in a round-robin scheduling format so that all teams play each other.[16]
Teams
| Team | City, Region | Country | Home Arena | Founded | Joined | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore Warhawks | Bangalore, Karnataka | India | TBD | 2011 | TBD | |
| Mumbai Gladiators | Mumbai, Maharashtra | India | TBD | 2011 | TBD | |
| Kandy Skykings | Kandy, Central Province | Sri Lanka | TBD | 2011 | TBD | |
| Pune Marathas | Pune (Balewadi), Maharashtra | India | Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex | 2011 | TBD | |
| Kolkata Vipers | Kolkata, West Bengal | India | TBD | 2011 | TBD | |
| Delhi Defenders | Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi | India | TBD | 2011 | TBD | |
| Peshawar Wolfpack | Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Pakistan | TBD | 2011 | TBD | |
| Colombo Lions | Colombo, Western Province | Sri Lanka | TBD | 2011 | TBD | |
Seasons
The first season will begin on Monday 12 November 2012 and will last till Monday 18 February 2013. This will have 56 matches in group stage and two play-offs. The first match will be played between Mumbai Gladiators and Pune Marathas and the last match between Hyderabad Skykings and Mumbai Gladiators.[17]
See also
- National Football League
- Canadian Football League
- NFL Europe
- List of leagues of American and Canadian football
External links
References
- ^ "Letter from the founder". EFLI. 2011-11-21. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ Amit, Naushad (20 November 2011). "American football arrives in the island". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ^ "American football to rock India". times of india. September 23, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Ivie, Eric R. "NFL stars taking American football overseas: A fan's perspective - NFL - Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ "American football is coming to India | ProFootballTalk". Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. 2011-08-03. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ "Gridiron league launched in India - Times Of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ George, John (2011-08-03). "Ron Jaworski is investor in new India football league - Philadelphia Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ "American Football in India?". Inquisitr.com. 2011-08-03. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ Daniel, Kaplan (2012-01-25). "Kurt Warner, Mark Wahlberg investing in new Indian football league - Phoenix Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
- ^ "BBC Sport - American Football - NFL franchise in the UK 'realistic' says Kirkwood". BBC News. 2011-07-30. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ "IPL 2011 news: IPL 2011 likely to have ten teams | Cricket News | Indian Premier League 2011". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ "'They Need TV Product': Why American Football Is Coming To India | NewsFeed | TIME.com". Newsfeed.time.com. 2011-08-04. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ Paliwal, Pradeep (2011-08-30). "Elite Football League of India launched - Mumbai". Demotix.com. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ "Money scores, American football lures Indian rugby players". Indian Express. 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ "Now, EFL wants to take India by storm - Times Of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2011-08-06. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
- ^ a b August 5, 2011 Mumbai IANS (2011-08-05). "American football comes to India". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ EFLI schedule