ISL clubs urge AIFF to find 'financially sound' commercial partner

The ISL clubs have sent a representation to AIFF asking for a competent commercial partner.

On Monday, ten Indian Super League (ISL) clubs sent a letter to AIFF, which highlighted their collective concerns with respect to the ongoing process for awarding the commercial rights of the Indian Super League (ISL).

In the letter, the clubs have raised their demands for a financially sound commercial partner who is capable of sustained investment in Indian Football.

AIFF will issue the tender to monetise commercial rights on September 15, 2025. This tender will include technical and financial bids. The process will conclude on October 15, 2025, with the announcement of the new commercial partner.

Also Read: AIFF releases Request for Quote to select agency for managing tender process of commercial rights

ISL clubs hopeful of long-term investment

The Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have welcomed the initiative taken by AIFF to find a commercial partner following the interim order by the Supreme Court. They have also conveyed their pertinent demands to the federation ahead of the commencement of the tender process.

In the letter to the federation, the clubs wrote, “We welcome the statement issued by the AIFF on September 7, 2025, and thank you for undertaking the effort to initiate the tender process for the ISL commercial rights with such promptness following the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order.”

“We sincerely hope that the AIFF selects a long-term commercial partner. This is critical to allow clubs to build sustainable commercial programs, onboard long-term sponsors, and avoid situations of uncertainty such as those we are experiencing currently,” the clubs stated, pressing on the requirement of a competent commercial partner.

“While we are confident that the AIFF, along with the Hon’ble Tender Committee and Oversight Committee, will safeguard these principles, we respectfully urge that due weight be placed on selecting a partner who is financially sound, capable of sustained investment, and has no history of defaults.”

The clubs have also pointed out that they want a commercial partner who has the know-how of running a league of the magnitude of the ISL. The expertise in sports administration has been set as a mandatory criterion for the selection of a commercial partner by the clubs.

Emphasizing the required merit of the commercial partner, the clubs stated, “Further, we believe that subject-matter expertise in sports and football administration should be given due consideration. The long-term stability and growth of Indian football will rest heavily on the credibility, competence, and financial robustness of the chosen commercial partner.”

The AIFF Executive Committee met virtually on September 6, 2025, and approved the RFQ process to appoint an agency for monetising its commercial rights.

A three-member Bid Evaluation Committee, led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao, with AFC’s Kesavaran Murugasu and AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, will oversee the process. The AIFF’s MRA Task Force will continue as the Tender Committee to review recommendations from the professional services firm.

Acknowledgement of Super Cup

In another major development, the letter written to the federation also included the acknowledgement of the Super Cup by the ISL clubs. This comes as a breakthrough for AIFF, as clubs had earlier shown their reluctance to participate in the competition without a clear roadmap for the Indian Super League.

“We also acknowledge the announcement that the Super Cup will commence post the award of the tender, which allows clubs to plan their seasons with a greater degree of certainty post October 16, 2025,” read the letter from ISL clubs.

AIFF announced on Sunday that it will organise the Super Cup, India’s premier cup competition, from October 25 to November 22 in a ‘phased manner’. The scheduling will be done keeping in consideration the FIFA international window, which will result in the unavailability of players.

The Indian national football team will play the AFC Asian Cup Qualifying fixture against Bangladesh in November. To ensure ISL clubs do not struggle with the absence of national team players, the competition will take a break before its conclusion on November 22.

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