A report submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) is advocating for a more commercially viable framework for the Indian Super League (ISL). The report, led by Justice (Retd.) L Nageswara Rao, comes after an unsuccessful tender process to monetize the ISL, which left the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in a difficult position. Justice Rao's recommendations aim to strike a balance between preserving the AIFF's regulatory role and considering the commercial interests of potential bidders. The goal is to renew interest in the league and ensure the timely conduct of the ISL.
The AIFF's invitation for bids on the tender for the ISL's commercial rights received no takers, creating uncertainty for the league and the broader football calendar. The situation has even prompted 12 Indian Super League clubs to appeal to the SC, protesting the delay in the start of the season. These clubs, including FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, East Bengal FC, and others, fear potential shutdowns due to the lack of a clear revenue structure, which could affect thousands of livelihoods.
Several factors contributed to the lack of interest from bidders. Key points of contention included limited representation in the AIFF's governing council, a minimum guaranteed payment of ₹37.5 crore annually, decision-making authority, and the management and sub-licensing of rights. Bidders also expressed concerns about restrictions on the commercial partner's ability to manage and sub-license rights, particularly broadcasting and allied rights, which they deemed essential for effective commercial management. The proposed structure, with only one commercial-partner representative among six, was viewed as insufficient participation in key league decisions. Concerns were also raised regarding the proposed veto power for the senior AIFF representative, which bidders felt could significantly limit their ability to make timely commercial and operational decisions.
In his report, Justice Rao suggested revisiting the financial obligations stipulated in the Request for Proposal (RFP), particularly the annual guaranteed payment to the AIFF, to ensure commercial viability for prospective bidders. The report also addressed concerns regarding the management and sub-licensing of rights, noting that restrictions imposed on the commercial partner's ability to manage and sub-license rights, especially broadcasting and allied rights, were a major concern.
For the past 15 years, the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has managed Indian football after being awarded commercial rights by the AIFF in 2010 for ₹700 crore. FSDL has operated the ISL since its inception in 2014. However, this agreement is set to expire on December 8, leaving the future management of the league uncertain.
The AIFF issued its RFP on October 16 for a 15-year contract, with a submission deadline of November 7. Despite multiple orders from the SC, the tender process failed, leaving the 2025-26 ISL season in limbo. The report emphasized the need for a balanced approach that preserves the AIFF's regulatory role while creating a more attractive commercial framework to encourage renewed interest and ensure the ISL's continuation.
