ISL clubs are cautiously optimistic about AIFF’s new long-term plan

Indian Super League (ISL) clubs are optimistic about the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) new long-term plan for the management of the league, but remain cautious about the challenges that need to be overcome before the league can become functional again.

On Friday, the AIFF submitted a proposal under which the ISL will be ‘owned and managed’ by the Federation, as per the new constitution, but the share of revenue will be 50 percent, shared equally among the clubs.

The Federation retains 10 percent of the revenue share, while 30 percent is reserved for a potential commercial partner.

“This definitely sets a solid foundation for us to take things forward in a positive way,” said Mandar Tamhane, CEO of NorthEast United FC (NEUFC), one of the league’s founding members. Sports stars.

READ ALSO | ISL model, owned by AIFF, proposed to clubs; The competition is likely to start on February 5

«There are plenty and more challenges. There are things that have to be within the Constitution, and certain things that have to be cost-centric. We have to be conservative and realistic in the approach to make things happen. It’s not just about clubs. There are two things that need to be addressed: one is Indian football, and secondly, the owners who are investing so much in Indian football,» he added.

The ISL, which usually begins in September, is yet to get underway after the Federation failed to find a new commercial partner on time and no bidders came forward to take up AIFF’s tender. The Master Rights Agreement with the league’s previous commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), expired in December this year.

«In theory, the proposal could work, but we are concerned about how it would be implemented. The deal still depends on broadcast rights and a commercial partner coming on board,» warned an unnamed top official of an ISL club.

While the media rights for the previous two seasons were sold to Viacom18 for a combined Rs. 550 Crore, the clubs are concerned whether the league can secure a similar valuation in the future.

While the league’s long-term plan will be discussed on December 28, clubs are aiming for a quick resolution on the status of the 2025-2026 season with the winter transfer window just a week away.

«Personally, our goal is clear: the competition must start as soon as possible. The winter period is almost here and that allows us to build the squad at the earliest,» said Dipendu Biswas, club official of Mohammedan Sporting.

Jamshedpur FC CEO Mukul Choudhari was pleased with the latest result after several months of uncertainty. «It is a very positive step by the AIFF. Many livelihoods, from players to referees, depend on the game, and I am happy that the federation has taken a step in the right direction,» Choudhari said.

Prithijit Das, also the president of Inter Kashi, hoped that this proposal could help get the ball rolling as the club looks to participate in the ISL for the first time.

“We are very grateful to the Honorable President Kalyan Chaubey and the three-member committee constituted by him, who in a very short time have presented us with a long-term proposal, which is interesting and which the clubs will discuss in detail.

«We hope that this can be closed in the coming days and that football can start at the earliest. I am sure there will be some changes and several deliberations to arrive at the final version, but overall it is a good step forward for the Federation.»

The AIFF had proposed two models to clubs on December 24: the two-conference model – as seen in Major League Soccer in the US – in two centralized locations, or the Swiss format, where teams would play both home and away matches and involve travel.

«We need to make sure things happen to move forward. It’s like taking a step back to take ten steps forward in the future. So obviously things will be discussed internally by our clubs. We’ll have another conversation with the AIFF about this on Sunday morning and hopefully by then we’ll have to iron out a few things that need to be discussed,» NEUFC’s Tamhane said.

Published on December 26, 2025