When the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season was supposed to be gearing up, Indian football found itself in stasis. The reason is not lack of footballing ambition but a legal-commercial stalemate at the heart of the sport’s governance: the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is yet to issue tender documents for a new commercial partner to run ISL, the expected October 15 deadline looms, and the clubs, players, fans, and media are in limbo.
The MRA, FSDL, and the Legacy of the ISL Setup
Since its inception, the ISL has operated under a Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and [Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) — a private entity backed by Reliance Industries and others. Under this 15‑year pact (expiring December 2025), FSDL secured rights to broadcast, manage, commercialise, and operate many facets of the ISL, while remitting a fixed annual sum to AIFF. This model decoupled commercial risk from AIFF, while allowing ISL to be run with aggressive marketing, sponsorship, and broadcast strategies.
But that deal now reaches its critical juncture.
Governance Crisis: Supreme Court Oversight and the Freeze
Behind the current deadlock lies a deeper governance schism. For years, AIFF has been under scrutiny for non‑compliance with India’s National Sports Code, delayed elections, and structural opacity. In response, the Supreme Court intervened, dissolving the AIFF executive, installing a Committee of Administrators, and mandating a new AIFF constitution aligned with FIFA norms. The court expressly barred major decisions — including contract renewals — until the new constitution is approved. As a result, negotiations with FSDL over the MRA renewal have remained in abeyance.
The Tender That Never Arrived: KPMG, Delays, and Accountability
To break the impasse, AIFF engaged KPMG India to craft tender / bid documentation and seek stakeholder consultation. The idea: a transparent, open process for selecting a commercial partner to run the ISL. Club owners have been asked for inputs in one-on-one meetings with KPMG. The stated timeline was to issue the tender by October 1, conclude by October 15, and begin the ISL season by November/December (after securing AFC approval). But so far, the tender documents have not been released, casting doubts on whether the October timeline is realistic.
This delay reflects both legal caution and bureaucratic hesitation. Clubs are anxious, broadcasters are waiting, and time is bleeding away.
Who Owns the League? Why a Commercial Partner Still Matters
One of the central contentions is the locus of control: the Supreme Court resolution reportedly grants AIFF “full ownership” of the ISL. The logic is that in future, the federation itself would manage the league rather than cede it to a private entity. Under that scenario, what is left for a commercial partner to gain?
A commercial partner offers more than “ownership.” Their value lies in operational execution, marketing, broadcast monetisation, sponsorship sales, risk sharing, and investing upfront to grow league value. Even with AIFF as the legal owner, the partner may run day‑to‑day operations under long-term contractual frameworks.
Could AIFF on its own run the ISL? Theoretically yes, but practically it’s steep. The federation would need to bear full financial risk, hire or build league operations, negotiate with broadcasters, sponsors, clubs, ensure logistics, compliance, and marketing. That is a tall order — especially when the federation is already caught in court oversight.
Moreover, dual role (regulator + operator) opens conflict-of-interest issues. If AIFF is both league manager and arbiter, it must maintain transparency and checks to avoid favoritism or perception of bias.
Stakeholder Fallout: Clubs, Players, Staff, Fans
- Clubs have had to delay budgets, hold back new signing decisions, or downsize commitments. Without clarity, they cannot plan long-term.
- Players & support staff face financial peril: salary freezes, contract uncertainty, and anxiety over renewals. For instance, Bengaluru FC suspended first-team salaries amid the stalemate.
- Fans are left in darkness — no fixture lists, no certainty of the league! The emotional engagement of football depends on continuity.
- Sponsors / broadcasters / media are reluctant to commit without a stable foundation; risk premium increases.
The trust crisis may have long-term damage: investors might turn away, sponsors may demand discounts, media rights may shrink.
Promoted Clubs, Rebranding, and Licensing Issues
Amid the legal crisis, structural changes are already visible. Hyderabad FC has been renamed Sporting Club Delhi, and Inter Kashi confirmed promotion to the ISL. But while these developments add intrigue, they can’t mask the underlying instability. Some clubs have failed licensing criteria, including stadium and financial compliance.
These shifts underscore how fragile the ISL structure has become — held together more by brand value than institutional strength.
Possible Futures for the ISL
- Scenario A: Tender Issued, Partner Selected, ISL Proceeds
If AIFF can hit deadlines and award a credible partner, the ISL might start in December as planned. But that seems unlikely now. - Scenario B: Interim / Extension Deal
AIFF and FSDL might agree to a short-term extension. However, that faces legal risk. - Scenario C: Federation-Run League
In absence of a partner, AIFF could attempt to manage the league itself. But doing so means bearing full cost and execution risk. Impossible. - Scenario D: Delay or Cancellation
Worst-case, ISL 2025–26 might be further postponed. Indian football would suffer badly — loss of momentum, fan alienation, players leaving to other leagues.
Can AIFF Really Manage It?
Running ISL internally requires a full-fledged operations team, broadcaster relationships, sponsorship management, and logistics. Does AIFF have that capacity? Public evidence suggests limited readiness; hence outsourcing has always been the preferred model. Any attempt to self-run the league without financial depth and managerial bandwidth would be precarious.
The Stakes and the Road Ahead
At stake is nothing less than the credibility of Indian football’s top flight. The ISL’s success over the past decade — in bringing fans back to stadiums, improving broadcast quality, and elevating the sport’s visibility — risks being undone by governance inertia.
What must happen next is clear:
- A transparent, time-bound tendering process.
- Greater communication with clubs and fans.
- Assurance to players and staff over contractual stability.
- Most importantly, clear leadership from AIFF that prioritises football over politics.
If handled well, this moment could mark a reset towards a more democratic and sustainable football ecosystem. If mishandled, it could become the darkest chapter in modern Indian football — where bureaucracy, not the ball, decided the game.
