Indian football league gets boost as Warner, Wahlberg pick up stake

MUMBAI: The nascent Elite Football League of India (EFLI), the first professional American sports football league in India, got a major fillip with the announcement that former National Football League quarterback Kurt Warner and American actor and producer Mark Wahlberg have picked up stake in the venture.

Ten Sports has inked an MoU with EFLI, which is slowly and steadily building the property.

The financial details of the stake acquisition price could not be ascertained. Earlier, former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka and ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski had invested in the league.
 
Warner, who works with under-privileged kids through his charity First Things First, has earmarked $50,000 out of his total investment for the purchase and distribution of Warner Family footballs to schools and the underprivileged throughout India.

Considered one of the best undrafted players of all time following a 12-year career, Warner first attained stardom while playing for the St. Louis Rams from 1998-2003, where he won two NFL MVP awards in 1999 and 2001 as well as the Super Bowl MVP award in Super Bowl XXXIV.

?I am extremely excited about the possibilities of the EFLI,? says Warner. ?I became a partner for two primary reasons. First, to expand the reach of what I believe is the greatest team sport in the world. The game of football has a chance to impact the lives of many people and families in India, like it did for mine. Second, I believe the success of EFLI will present us with some amazing opportunities to impact their communities from a charitable perspective. I believe we will be able to use the great game of football to truly impact the people of India, both on and off the field, and help many to improve on their quality of life."

Wahlberg, also known as Marky Mark in his earlier years, has committed to endorse and enhance the EFLI brand and mission through media and personal introduction and support.

"The thought of owning part of the Indian Football League was, at first, intriguing. When I learned of the premise and passion behind the foundation, there was no question that I would commit to the cause,? says Wahlberg. ?The EFLI is changing the lives of countless numbers of India?s poor and underprivileged. I anxiously look forward to the inaugural 2012 season. I hope to bring my family to India for the opening game and to witness this miracle that is the EFLI.?

EFLI had earlier roped in Schutt Sports, the world?s leading maker of football helmets and faceguards, as kits supplier for the league. As part of the agreement, Schutt has committed to supply 2,000 helmets, 2,300 face guards, 2,000 shoulders pads and additional accessories and equipment worth $1 million to the EFLI teams.

EFLI is the first men?s professional American football league in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is South Asia?s first professional American football league. The government of India and the Sports Authority of India have backed the league?s launch.

Founded in mid-2011, the organisation?s management team consists of American and Indian business and entertainment executives as well as several American sports figures.