The All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Body has delegated the authority to finalize the commercial rights agreement back to its Executive Committee. This decision was made during the Special General Meeting (SGM) held in Kolkata on May 23. The General Body granted the Executive Council the power to discuss and deliberate on the two bidders. Given the legal and constitutional constraints, this was the maximum feasible outcome at the meeting.
Commercial Rights Bids
The AIFF received two bids for the commercial rights: one from FanCode and another from Genius Sports. The federation strongly favors the UK-based Genius Sports, which has proposed an offer of Rs 64.4 crore per year, with an annual increment of 5%. Over the 15+5-year cycle, this amounts to a total of Rs 2129 crore.
Master Rights Agreement
The federation also discussed the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), for which bids were received from two entities. The General Body unanimously approved that the Executive Committee should be empowered to discuss and deliberate upon the MRA negotiations. The SGM was attended by 19 Executive Committee members, 32 representatives from member state associations, along with representatives from FIFA and AFC. Notably, former AIFF president Praful, now a FIFA Council member, also attended the meeting.
ISL Clubs' Concerns
On Friday, representatives from Indian Super League (ISL) clubs met with senior AIFF officials to discuss the commercial rights deal. The clubs expressed concerns about the financial model, stating that their financial interests remain unclear. As a result, a majority of the clubs released a statement saying they are now compelled to review their commitment to the league beyond the current season.
Subsequently, in an email, the clubs requested the AIFF General Body not to make a binding decision on the long-term commercial rights model at the SGM. They asked that no binding decision be taken at the meeting scheduled for May 23. The clubs reiterated their willingness to continue engaging constructively with the AIFF and Genius Sports to develop a collaborative and financially sustainable framework that protects the interests of all stakeholders and secures the future of Indian football.
