Ten differences between ISL and I League

1. ISL is a short league of three months with 8 teams whereas I league is a longer league of five to seven months with 11 teams (2014-15).

2. ISL can register 10 foreign players and play 6 in the first eleven whereas I League can register 4 foreign players (three non- Asians and one Asian) and play 4 in the first eleven.

3. ISL players have a contract for three to four months whereas I League players have a contract of one to three years.

4. In ISL there is no promotion nor relegation from the bottom placed teams whereas in I League there is, both promotion and relegation, from and to the lower league.

5. The prize money in ISL is Rs 8 crores for the winners whereas in I League it is 70 lakhs.

6. ISL matches will be played under floodlights at 7 pm whereas I League matches are played at odd hours between 3 pm to 5 pm with no fixed timings.

7. All matches will be telecast live with a record number of nine channels whereas in the I League few matches are selectively telecast by just one channel.

8. Referees and assistant referees in ISL are connected with wireless sets improving communication and decision making whereas in I League without the equipment the men in black are found wanting. 

9. ISL franchises are new and have a deal for 10 years to play the ISL whereas some of the I League clubs have been in existence for more than 20,50 and even hundred years and they will play the I League as long as they are not relegated.

10. The champion club in ISL will get to play the next edition of ISL whereas the champion club of I League will get to play the next edition of I League and also the higher level of club competition in Asia ie the AFC Cup or even the Champions League.