ISL club captains submit representation to Supreme Court, highlighting urgent need for commercial structure

The ISL tender for commercial rights failed to attract any bidder.

In a dire move to salvage the future of Indian Football, the captains of the Indian Super League clubs have come together to submit a representation to the Supreme Court. The representation emphasizes the crisis that Indian Football is going through and demands urgent intervention from the apex court.

This upheaval in Indian Football originated primarily because the tender for commercial rights of the Indian Super League failed to attract any bidder before the deadline of November 7, 2025. The ISL was scheduled to start on December 15, but the failure of the bid will inevitably push the deadline, putting the livelihood of professionals involved in the ecosystem at risk.

ISL captains to rescue

In the representation submitted by the twelve Indian Super League club captains, they have stated, “The ongoing impasse jeopardises more than 10,000 livelihoods, creating severe financial and emotional strain on athletes and their families, as well as on local communities sustained by the football ecosystem.

“Professional footballers — many in their peak years — are losing irreplaceable time in careers that are already limited in span. Coaches and support staff are unable to justify continued employment or secure future contracts.”

Throwing light on the plight of foreign players, the submission read, “Foreign players, coaches, and analysts who entered India under valid visas for league participation now remain idle, unable to legally engage in alternate employment. Their continued stay in India without professional engagement creates administrative and legal complications.”

“Clubs have indicated that, in the absence of a functioning commercial structure and revenue inflow, potential shutdowns may become unavoidable if clarity is not provided imminently,” the captains apprised the court of the alarming situation.

Also Read: ‘We need action and we need it now,’ Sandesh Jhingan urges stakeholders to find solution to ISL limbo

Prayers for survival

The ISL club captains have put forth several prayers that they deem are necessary to bring Indian Football back on track. Their prayers include some of the aspects that can provide a new turn to this whole saga, as it includes changes to the new constitution as well, if the federation wants to make the commercial structure financially viable.

“Kindly take cognizance of the prevailing crisis affecting professional footballers, coaches, and staff across the nation, and recognise the imminent threat posed to their livelihoods by the absence of a functioning commercial partner,” pleaded the captains.

Asking for permission to bring changes to the constitutional framework, the submission stated, “Direct or permit the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to immediately reexamine the existing commercial and constitutional framework to enable participation by viable bidders and potential partners.”

“Allow necessary amendments or provisions within the AIFF Constitution and governing documents to provide flexibility for potential commercial partnerships, remove structural impediments that deter investment, and enable a fair and transparent agreement to be executed swiftly.”

The captains also sought assistance from the court to “ensure that an appropriate commercial partner is appointed at the earliest, through a fair and time-bound process, so that the league may begin without further delay, allowing clubs to resume operations and professionals to continue their work.”

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.