Media reports on June 22 suggested that the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) has submitted a draft proposal to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) outlining a new structure for the Indian Super League (ISL).
The new draft proposes significant changes to the governance and format of the ISL. This comes as the existing Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the two entities is set to expire in December 2025.
The proposed changes include the formation of a new entity, named ‘ISL NewCo JV’, which would be responsible for governing, operating, commercialising, and funding the league. Under the proposed equity split, ISL clubs would hold 60%, FSDL 26%, and the AIFF 14%. FSDL would retain veto rights on key issues.
The Sportstar reported that a key provision of the draft is a 10-year moratorium on promotion and relegation from the ISL. This would halt the planned integration of lower-tier clubs into the top division unless all stakeholders vote in favour of such expansion.
The Times of India reported that promotion to the top-tier ISL will be only for clubs who strictly meet the financial/licensing criteria and has been in existence for at least five years under the same ownership.
The plan, if accepted, would override AIFF’s earlier commitment to implement promotion and relegation from the 2024–25 season, a move recommended by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This shift may impact clubs like Punjab FC and Mohammedan Sporting, which were recently promoted, and could prevent the 2024–25 I-League champion—either Churchill Brothers or Inter Kashi, subject to legal proceedings—from joining the ISL.
Additionally, the draft proposes the scrapping of the current MRA. Instead, AIFF would receive dividends or share losses based on its equity, with all ISL-related rights transferred to ISL NewCo JV. Revenue from non-ISL competitions and non-national team matches would remain with AIFF. The FSDL has cited international models such as the English Premier League and Japan’s J-League to support the proposed structure, which aligns with AIFF’s new draft Constitution mandating direct federation oversight of top-tier competitions.
A Supreme Court verdict on AIFF’s constitution is expected on July 18, which may influence further negotiations.
