New Delhi, Aug 28 (PTI) - A significant development in Indian football could soon resolve the current deadlock as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) have proposed a "transparent tender" process for selecting a new commercial partner to lead the Indian Super League (ISL) in December. This proposal was submitted to the Supreme Court on Thursday.
The resolution came after the AIFF and FSDL engaged in discussions on Monday, following the Supreme Court's earlier directive. Additionally, the apex court is dealing with a case about the AIFF's constitution. Both the AIFF and FSDL have emphasized that they reached a "consensual resolution" for the broader public interest and the growth of football in India.
"The AIFF has agreed to execute an open, competitive, and transparent tender (or equivalent process) to select a commercial partner to manage the ISL, adhering to global best practices," states the resolution submitted to the court.
"This process will align with the National Sports Development Code 2011, the National Sports Governance Act 2025, the AIFF Constitution, and relevant FIFA/Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regulations. An independent, professional firm of repute, such as a Big Four firm, or a comparable entity, may manage the process."
The AIFF and FSDL agreed to conclude this process by October 15, 2025, ensuring certainty for clubs, broadcasters, sponsors, and other stakeholders. Upon AFC's consent, the new league season could commence in December.
This agreement comes just days after FIFA and the AFC warned of a potential international ban for India, urging the AIFF to adopt and ratify a new constitution by October 30 to avoid suspension. Such a suspension would bar national teams and clubs from international competitions. FIFA and AFC instructed the Kalyan Chaubey-led AIFF to secure a "definitive order" from the Supreme Court approving the updated constitution, aligning it with the mandatory statutes of FIFA and AFC, and ratifying it in the next General Body meeting before the October 30 deadline.
FSDL's Role and Assurance to AIFF
The FSDL, currently AIFF's commercial partner under a 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) inked in 2010, has been organizing the ISL since 2014. With the MRA set to expire on December 8, the FSDL's decision on June 11 to put the ISL on pause sparked concerns. It prompted at least three ISL clubs to halt their first-team operations or delay salaries, and 11 ISL clubs warned of an existential crisis, potentially leading to closures.
On August 22, the Supreme Court allowed AIFF and FSDL to engage in discussions to devise interim solutions for the timely start of the season. In the resolution submitted Thursday, FSDL has agreed to "waive its contractual Right of First Negotiation and Right to Match under the MRA dated 08 December 2010." It will issue a No Objection Certificate to the AIFF to conduct an open, competitive, and transparent tender (or equivalent process).
The FSDL has confirmed it will not challenge any new rights holder (if any) managing ISL rights during the MRA's validity. Under the current MRA, the FSDL pays Rs 50 crore annually, having settled the July-September rights fee of Rs 12.5 crore on August 18, 2025. They've also agreed to advance the final rights fee tranche of Rs 12.5 crore (October-December 2025) to the AIFF if needed.
Both entities believe this collaborative framework signifies a progressive step in Indian football's development, ensuring minimal disruption to the football ecosystem, clarity for stakeholders, and alignment of the sport's governance with both national and international standards.
Super Cup - Starting the New Season
To ensure a timely kickoff for the football calendar and sustained competitive activity, the AIFF and FSDL decided that the 2025–26 season might start with the Super Cup or another domestic competition governed by the national federation following a proper pre-season period.
"The Super Cup, being a domestic tournament open to clubs across various tiers, guarantees that players and clubs remain competitively active until the league season starts," the resolution mentioned. The concept of the Super Cup as the inaugural season event was discussed in a meeting between the AIFF and 13 ISL clubs in Delhi on August 7.
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