In a significant move that could reshape the future of Indian football, the clubs of the Indian Super League (ISL) have formally presented a radical proposal to restructure the country's premier professional football competition. The plan, submitted to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, seeks to establish a club-owned league model with perpetual operational and commercial rights.
The Core Proposal: A New League Company
The clubs, in a joint letter sent on the final day of a stipulated deadline, have outlined a framework where the AIFF would grant the rights to operate, manage, and commercially exploit the top-tier league to a dedicated League Company in perpetuity. This grant would be subject to continued compliance with the statutes of AIFF, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and FIFA.
The proposed structure is clear on ownership: the participating ISL clubs would collectively hold a permanent majority shareholding in this new League Company. The AIFF would hold one special share, designed to safeguard sporting integrity and its regulatory authority. The clubs also want the flexibility to bring in a commercial or strategic partner at the league level, but with a firm condition that the clubs, both individually and collectively, retain majority ownership and voting control at all times.
Redefining Roles: AIFF as Regulator, Clubs as Operators
Under this new model, the roles of the football federation and the clubs would be sharply delineated. The AIFF's function would be confined to core regulatory and governance duties. These would include:
- Framing competition regulations and disciplinary codes.
- Club licensing and managing referee appointments.
- Finalising the league calendar in coordination with national team commitments.
The AIFF shall not bear any commercial risk or operational liability in relation to the league, as per the proposal. Conversely, the clubs, acting through the league company, would assume full responsibility for day-to-day operations, commercial exploitation of media and sponsorship rights, financial discipline, and maintaining broadcast and sporting standards.
Financial Terms and Urgent Timeline
The financial aspect of the proposal addresses immediate and future support for the federation. For the upcoming 2025-26 season, which is yet to commence, the clubs have suggested that no league rights fee be paid to AIFF, citing transitional circumstances. From the 2026-27 season onwards, the clubs propose potentially paying the AIFF an annual grant of Rs 10 crore, irrespective of a commercial partner, to be used for grassroots development, referee and coach training, and AIFF's administrative expenses.
Emphasising urgency amidst current uncertainties in Indian football, the clubs assured that the season would not be allowed to lapse. They committed to endeavouring to start the league within 45 days of a formal handover of rights, pending necessary approvals.
The proposal acknowledges that some changes may require amendments to the AIFF constitution, which is currently under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court. The clubs have sought support from both AIFF and the Sports Ministry to present the rationale for such changes before the apex court. They have also requested the formation of a joint working group with AIFF and Ministry representatives to address legal and transitional matters.
Representatives from all ISL clubs are expected to attend the AIFF's Annual General Meeting, where this landmark proposal is likely to be a key topic of discussion.
