Exclusive: Three broadcasters competing for ISL TV & digital rights

Since its inception, the league has been showcased by Star Sports.

While many people in Indian football are aware of the 10-year deal signed between FSDL and Star Sports for the broadcast rights of the Indian Super League (ISL), Khel Now would like to reveal that according to very reliable sources, the deal has concluded. It was a 5+4 year deal signed previously and after the 2022-23 season, that deal is over, which means Star Sports no longer hold the broadcast or digital rights of the Indian Super League.

As per the information received by Khel Now this morning, “Broadcast for the Indian Super League from this upcoming season could be an open bidding process. Three companies – Sports18 along with JioTV, Star Sports along with Disney+HotStar, and Sony Sports along with SonyLiv could be in the fray. While Sports18 and Star are the main contenders. There is an outside chance for Sony to be the deal breaker!"

While the production was managed by FSDL themselves, Star Sports looked after the marketing and sponsorship side apart from broadcasting the league. The source claimed, "FSDL is contemplating on ways to get hold of the best broadcaster. Also, the decision is expected by the end of July."

ISL's journey

With its inception in 2014, the ISL injected fresh impetus into Indian football. In 2019-20, the stakeholders met and announced the league as the top-tier in the country's sport, replacing the I-League.

The Indian Super League initially brought with it a lot of top-notch foreign stars who were signed by various different clubs. Some players like Marco Materazzi, Diego Forlan, Roberto Carlos, Helder Postiga, Luis Garcia, Josemi and so on took the country by surprise and so the league started gaining much-needed popularity.

The new season of the ISL is expected to start from September itself, a month earlier than last term.