Since the adoption of the Supreme Court mandated Constitution, the AIFF has struggled to find bidders for the ISL
An annual grant of Rs 10 crore to the apex body; the right to operate and manage the top-tier league; holding permanent majority shareholding; and conducting the league within 45 days of a formal handover of rights. The Indian Super League clubs on Friday came up with a formal proposal to restructure the country’s top division, recommending a club-owned model with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) retaining its role as a regulator.
The proposal comes at a time when India’s domestic football pyramid has collapsed following the expiry of an agreement between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited, a Reliance Industries subsidiary. When the AIFF floated tenders to find new commercial partners, there were no takers. It is likely that the clubs’ plan will be discussed on Saturday during the AIFF’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday.
However, it could face roadblocks after some members of the AIFF’s executive committee expressed reservations. According to PTI, committee member Avijit Paul said the proposal was ‘demeaning’, ‘unacceptable’ and ‘undermined the authority’ of AIFF.
Given that the issue — which is linked directly to the AIFF’s constitution — is sub-judice in the Supreme Court, the clubs have also sought the Sports Ministry’s intervention. “…we write to formally place before the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Ministry), a detailed proposal for restructuring the ownership, governance, and operational framework of India’s top-tier professional football league,” the clubs said in a joint to the Sports Ministry and AIFF.
– Rights to ‘operate, manage, and commercially exploit India’s top-tier professional football league
– Participating clubs hold a permanent majority shareholding in the ‘League Company’. AIFF shall hold one special share, safeguarding sporting integrity, regulatory authority, and statutory compliance
– Flexibility to induct a commercial or strategic partner at the league level, provided always that the clubs, individually and collectively, retain majority ownership and voting control
– Full responsibility for day-to-day operations, commercial exploitation of media and sponsorship rights
– No league rights fee be paid to AIFF for the 2025-26 season, owing to transitional circumstances and the need to ensure uninterrupted continuity of the competition
– Commencing the top-division league within 45 days of a formal handover of rights.
