ISL Clubs Propose Consortium Model to Run League, Seek Ministry Nod

By siliconindia  |  Friday, 19 December 2025, 06:30:45 PM IST

ISL Clubs Propose Consortium Model to Run League, Seek Ministry Nod
  • ISL clubs propose a league-run company with AIFF holding a special share
  • AIFF could receive 10 crore annually from the 2026-27 season
  • Clubs aim to start the 2025-26 ISL season within 45 days

All Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, except East Bengal, have submitted a joint proposal to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, outlining a new plan to run India’s top-tier football league. The clubs want to operate the league as a consortium through a dedicated league company, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) retaining a special share.

In a letter reviewed by Sportstar, the clubs proposed that the AIFF grant the league company permanent rights to operate, manage, and commercially exploit the ISL, provided it continues to follow AIFF, AFC, and FIFA regulations. If approvals are secured, the clubs said they are ready to begin the 2025-26 season within 45 days.

Under the proposal, the clubs will not pay the AIFF any fee for the current season. However, starting from the 2026-27 season, they have offered to pay 10 crore annually to the Federation, regardless of whether a commercial partner is brought in. The plan also ensures that the AIFF carries no operational or financial risk linked to the league.

The move follows a meeting between ISL club representatives and Sports Ministry officials in New Delhi, who asked the clubs to submit a detailed plan within 24 hours. The clubs acknowledged that some elements of the proposal may require changes to the AIFF Constitution, which is currently under review by the Supreme Court.

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They also requested the formation of a joint working group involving the AIFF, the Ministry, and the clubs to handle legal, regulatory, and transition-related matters, including approvals from FIFA and the AFC.

With the Master Rights Agreement between AIFF and FSDL expiring earlier this month and no new commercial partner in place, the future of the ISL remains uncertain. The issue is expected to dominate discussions at the AIFF’s Annual General Meeting on December 20.

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