New Delhi, India– The future of Indian football’s top-tier league, the Indian Super League (ISL), remains uncertain as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) grapple to reach a new agreement for its governance and commercial rights. While the AIFF aims for the ISL to retain its top-tier status for the next decade, key disagreements, particularly concerning promotion and relegation, persist, compounded by an ongoing Supreme Court directive.
The ISL was granted top-league status in 2019 following a roadmap agreed upon by all stakeholders. This roadmap saw promotion from the I-League begin in the 2022-23 season, with Punjab FC and Mohammedan Sporting Club successfully qualifying for the ISL. However, the crucial aspect of relegation from the ISL has yet to be implemented.
AIFF’s New Demands and Proposed Changes
According to reports, the AIFF is prepared to offer FSDL a new 10-year agreement to operate the ISL, complete with a clear calendar window and full commercial freedom. The AIFF’s new proposal also outlines a significant change in Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competition qualification spots: the ISL champions would secure the top spot, while the I-League winners would gain the second continental berth. This would be a departure from the existing template where Super Cup winners represented India in continental tournaments.
Financially, the AIFF is seeking an annual payment to a game development fund of ₹50 crore (approximately $6 million USD) or 10 percent of the total league revenue in 2026, whichever is higher, with an annual increment of five percent. This revenue is intended to support youth and grassroots football development across the country.
FSDL’s Counter-Proposal and Current Standoff
However, FSDL is reportedly not in agreement with the AIFF’s financial demands and has presented a counter-proposal. Their suggestion is the formation of a new holding company, where clubs would hold 60 percent of the shares, FSDL 26 percent, and AIFF 14 percent. This proposed structure aims to address sustainability concerns, with a source suggesting the current system leads to approximate annual losses of ₹500 crore for stakeholders.
The current 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and FSDL is set to expire on December 8, 2025. Despite the impending deadline, a solution is on hold due to a Supreme Court order issued on April 26. A senior AIFF official explained, “The AIFF cannot act right now because the Supreme Court made an observation that the renewal of the Masters Rights Agreement should not be done until its order. We are now waiting the SC order, so that the path becomes clear.” This legal injunction has effectively paused further negotiations, creating uncertainty for the upcoming 2025-26 ISL season, which FSDL has already indicated it has put “on hold” until clarity emerges.
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