India, April 10 -- Questions about why Indian Super League (ISL) clubs need to meet bidders interested in being commercial partners of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) are valid. After all, two representatives of ISL clubs were part of the bid evaluation committee. Also, why have a bid evaluation committee when it does not, well, evaluate?

"A decision of this nature must be informed not merely by the fact of a bid having been submitted, but by a proper understanding of the respective bidders' business plans, revenue generation models, cost structures, operational capabilities, strategic assumptions and overall vision for the property," the clubs wrote to AIFF one day after bids from Genius Sports and FanCode were opened.

Fair en...