Commercial unviability of AIFF tender repels FSDL from bidding for commercial rights

AIFF did not attract any bidders before the deadline.

Indian Football is facing a gargantuan crisis as the resumption of the Indian Super League keeps pushing back with no commercial partner on board. The All India Football Federation failed to attract any bids before the deadline of 7 November 2025.

There were reportedly four potential bidders, but their interest could not be converted into a final bid as the tender did not meet bidders’ commercial expectations. The league was scheduled to start by December 15, but there are no signs of the AIFF meeting that deadline.

Pushback from FSDL

The ties between Football Sports Development Limited, the former commercial partners of AIFF, and the federation took their last breath on December 8 as the Master Rights Agreement, which was signed in 2010, expired after fifteen years.

According to a Times of India report, FSDL submitted a list of 174 queries after the pre-bid meeting but decided not to submit it before the deadline. The reasons for not pursuing the interest are multiple. Burden on commercial partners and centralization of decision-making powers in the hands of associations are some of them.

“The current RFP structure continues an unsustainable model that burdens the commercial partner and clubs while centralising control with the federation. The federation is not investing any money, nor guaranteeing any investment, but the bidder remains a minority voice in the running of the league,” as reported by an official.

Also Read: AIFF Bid Evaluation Committee to submit report to Supreme Court after closure of ISL tender

The insignificant role in the commercial and operational aspects provides little space for the commercial partners to exercise control and make tweaks that will make the league and their association with it more profitable.

In the league’s administrative setup, the commercial partner will have one seat in the governing council, while AIFF will have two of the six seats, making the federation the dominant player.

The promotion-relegation is also one of the fronts of dispute between the federation and the bidders. To secure the financial interest of the players involved in the league, besides the commercial partner, the bidders favour a closed league with no promotion and relegation.

The difference between ISL’s financial position and the I-League has led bidders to demand a closed league, which could provide ISL clubs more time to recover from losses.

However, the chances of a closed league are narrow because the new AIFF Constitution has enshrined the principles of promotion and relegation, making it mandatory.

AIFF to submit a report to the Supreme Court

As the next step in the process, Justice (Retd.) L. Nageswara Rao, the Chairperson of the Bid Evaluation Committee, will submit a report to the Supreme Court after the failure of the federation to attract any bids.

Whatever the next directive from the court will be, it cannot be debated that the resumption of the league before next year appears a far-fetched proposition, putting the livelihood and future of the players at stake.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.