ISL Crisis Deepens: AIFF's Rights Deal Expires Amid Uncertainty Over 2025-26 Season
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{ "title": "ISL Crisis Deepens: AIFF's Rights Deal Expires Amid Uncertainty Over 2025-26 Season", "article": "The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is facing a major crisis after its commercial rights deal with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) expired on December 9, leaving the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season uncertain. The deal, worth over ₹700 crore, was signed in 2010 and was supposed to last for 15 years. However, the agreement was structured in a way that the AIFF received a smaller share of the revenue in the initial years, increasing to ₹50 crore per year from 2016 to 2025. The absence of a new deal has put a huge burden on AIFF's finances, which in turn will affect how it conducts competitions. The 2025-26 ISL season was expected to start soon, but the uncertainty surrounding the commercial rights deal has put the entire season in jeopardy. The AIFF had been negotiating with FSDL to renew the deal, but the talks broke down over the terms of the agreement. FSDL proposed a joint-venture company to run ISL, with AIFF having a 14% stake, but the proposal was rejected by AIFF as it did not provide a minimum guarantee. The Supreme Court had observed in April that no major decision should be taken till its verdict on the AIFF constitution case, which further complicated the negotiations. The court had also asked the Union government to find a solution to the crisis. The Union sports minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, met representatives of ISL and I-League clubs and prospective bidders on December 3, promising to find a solution soon. However, the 12 ISL clubs have written to AIFF, asking for a re-tender of ISL's commercial rights, failing which they may consider forming a consortium to run the league. The future of ISL and the 2025-26 season hangs in the balance, with no clear solution in sight. The AIFF and FSDL must work together to find a solution that benefits both parties and ensures the continuation of the league."
