ISL: Future tense for new season as Reliance arm puts league on hold

It was yet another rap on the knuckles of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) when the Indian Super League (ISL), their marquee club competition, was put ‘on hold’ by it’s management company on Friday evening. Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the marketing arm of Indian football owned by Reliance Group, released a copy of their letter to all 13 clubs in ISL to the effect – causing panic and frustration among them.

 The AIFF had, back in 2010, entered into a 15-year agreement with Reliance to act as their marketing arm and it’s term is expiring on December 8 this year. A discussion between AIFF and FSDL on renewal of the Masters Rights Agreement (MRA), which governs the operations, is in limbo with a fresh terms being laid down by the FSDL – which sees the later tightening the screws on the AIFF with the letter.   

 ‘’Given this situation, we regret to inform you (the ISL clubs) that we are currently not in a position to proceed with the 2025-26 ISL season and are placing it on hold until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure beyond end of current MRA term,’’ the FSDL told all 13 ISL clubs. While keeping the future of the tournament ‘on hold’ till the MRA is sealed does not necessarily mean a cancellation or postponement, it has thrown the preparation plans of the clubs in jeopardy.

After ISL double, will Mohun Bagan Super Giant gun for Asian glory?

How have the clubs taken to such a letter from the ISL, albeit with barely 10 days to go for the Durand Cup – billed as the curtain raiser to the club season ? Speaking to National Herald, Srinjoy Bose, the newly elected secretary of Mohun Bagan Super Giant did not mince words in laying the blame on the doorstep of AIFF. ‘’It’s a shame that the future of the premier league of the country has been held to a ransom like this. The AIFF knew all along that their deal with FSDL is ending in December – by which time the ISL gets well underway – so why didn’t they close the issue?  All stakeholders should come forward and discuss the impasse at the earliest,’’ said Bose, a media baron.

 Meanwhile, a top official of Emami East Bengal refused to press the panic buttons yet on the basis of the FSDL warning. ‘’We feel that the ISL will take place, whoever organises it. It’s neither in FSDL’s interest nor the Union government for the league to stop,’’ remarked Debabrata Sarkar – the East Bengal supremo – whose club is yet to replicate their glory days in the ISL.

AIFF responds to FSDL’s ISL 2025–26 notice. Cites Supreme Court’s April observation as reason behind stalled renewal talks. Fate of the season now hinges on legal clarity.https://t.co/pAxS27yr2c

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) July 12, 2025

The first ominous signal around ISL surfaced when in the AIFF calendar for 2025-26 season released in June, there was no mention of the league which runs through seven to eight months from October to April every year. Informed sources close to the negotiation for the MRA said that the FSDL wants to renegotiate the terms instead of shelling out a hefty purse of Rs 50 crores to the AIFF every year. ‘’The new terms offered to the AIFF entail forming a new company where the clubs would share 60% of the revenue pie, 26% goes to the FSDL with the AIFF taking the remaining 14%. If pushed through, it’s going to be a win-win situation for the clubs but the AIFF has so far refused to play ball,’’ the sources said.

 Interestingly enough, it’s the Supreme Court which had hit the pause button on MRA talks because of a long-standing case regarding the AIFFs draft constitution - with the final judgement now expected on July 18 once the courts reopen next week. Any break in continuity will only sully India’s reputation in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Fifa, something which neither of the parties can ill afford.

Meanwhile, the AIFF released a statement with a timeline of events on Saturday and said it was on the apex court's directive that they did not progress with the execution of the MRA. “The AIFF and its stakeholders will take all possible steps and do all things within their power to ensure continuity of the ISL in the best interests of Indian football. We request the understanding of all stakeholders in the interim,” it concluded.