The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) has entered into a strategic partnership with the English Premier League (EPL) which will bring significant benefits to both partners.The EPL will play more of an advisory role while also taking part in brand management, helping define anti-corruption and anti-doping policies for the ISL, as well as the joint promotion of the ISL and EPL in India.The EPL is the most-watched global sporting event on a continuous basis. Across nine months, 380 matches are viewed in 175 countries with coverage available in over 650 million homes. The partnership aims to extend the ISL’s reach to at least 200 million viewers in India.Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the EPL, said, “Having earlier this year signed a mutual co-operation agreement with the Asian Football Confederation, we are very pleased to also enter into this partnership with the ISL. This will see both organisations work together and share knowledge in several key areas including player development, refereeing, marketing and promotion.”Jeff Slack, senior vice president, IMG, Global Football Development, stated, “Pairing the Premier League, an established best-in-class football organization, with the ISL is a dream arrangement for football fans in India. The ability to leverage the Premier League’s experience in creating a successful league model for both players and fans will be of tremendous value to the ISL as it continues to grow the sport in India.”Nita Ambani, chairperson of IMG-Reliance also saw great merit in the partnership: “Partnering with Premier League brings credence to ISL and to our vision of popularizing the sport in India. I am confident that the tie-up will immensely help in nurturing and enabling ISL with good governance and best practices. The alliance also presents a great opportunity of partnership and cross promotions between the ISL partners and Premier League clubs.”All India Football Federation president Praful Patel expressed his satisfaction about his organisation being part of the strategic partnership between the EPL and the ISL. “This is an outstanding opportunity for the ISL to build from the very best in the business when it comes to running a highly successful league. The EPL is revered around the world and by learning from the practitioners who have made it so successful, the ISL will develop and grow in the right way, ensuring benefits not only for the league itself but also for the wider Indian football ecosystem in the longer term,” he said.Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India, added, “The partnership puts belief in our Star Sports philosophy `Believe'. From a game that hobbled about on the fringes of Indian sports, there's promise that this partnership will lift and reinvigorate football. Star strongly believes in creating local heroes, inspiring Indians to believe greatness is possible through sport and together we can create a world where sports comes first. The partnership with EPL is going to help us achieve just that.”