Kerala Blasters CEO opens up on challenges of keeping operations afloat amid ISL uncertainty

Abhik Chatterjee indicated that if the deadlock remains, Kerala Blasters might be forced to take drastic measures.

AIFF and ISL clubs met in a meeting held in Delhi on Thursday, August 7, to discuss the ongoing chaos surrounding the impending Indian Super League season. The federation and clubs were on the same page that these are testing times, and it is important for the stakeholders to remain steadfast, hoping for the impasse to dissipate.

In a recent dialogue with Khel Now TV in the first episode of the Indian Football Forum, Kerala Blasters CEO opened up on the havoc faced by the clubs as a result of ambiguity over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) and the existence of ISL.

Expressing his displeasure over the situation, he insinuated that Kerala Blasters FC might be next in line of clubs temporarily discontinuing their operations.

“It’s not that we are alien to this situation or we are absolutely not affected by this situation. It’s difficult at the end of the day; if there is no revenue, there are no gate receipts, and there is nothing in terms of broadcast revenue if the league doesn’t happen.

If we go longer and longer into this without finding a solution, we will have to look at measures. It goes without saying, and some of those measures may be difficult decisions to take, but what can you do at this moment in time when there are no guarantees?” stated Abhik Chatterjee.

Also Read: AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey reaffirms ISL 2025-26; confirms Super Cup to take place before league

AIFF also proposed the Super Cup to take place before the Indian Super League, to act as its precursor going into the season. However, the clouds remain hovering over whether the clubs would lap up this idea without having clarity over the league and its future.

Sacrifices made by those associated with the club

These are unprecedented times in Indian football, as a calamity of this scale was not anticipated. Three ISL clubs, including Odisha FC, Bengaluru FC, and Chennaiyin FC, have paused their operations and put a hold on the salaries of players and staff members.

Kerala Blasters have not announced any such measures yet. The club CEO acknowledged the sacrifices that are being made by all those associated with the club to avoid any casualties, like shutting down operations.

“I think a couple of days before, I was speaking with Nikhil (Bhardwaj), about how the staff have also pulled together in this scenario to look at this situation and offer solutions, which is something that we are very proud of at this club. Because they’ve understood, okay, the club is going through a period of difficulty, and a lot of people at this club have made sacrifices on their own.

So everybody has come together, at least at our club, to sort of understand the situation and to offer solutions to see where there can be sacrifices made where we’ve done,” Abhik said, hinting at the probable remunerative cuts that the staff at the club might have taken to play their part in helping the club ride through this tumultuous period.

Future plans amid the current upheaval

The future of both the league and clubs hangs in the balance as the impasse between the stakeholders continues with an impending Supreme Court move and likely arduous negotiations between the federation and FSDL over the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement.

Kerala Blasters CEO made it abundantly clear that they are not impressed by the proposal made by the AIFF to conduct the Super Cup before the ISL season. Since there is no clarity on when the ISL season will commence, it is not financially viable for the club to pull up the strings and field a team in the domestic competition.

“It’s the same reason why we and so many other teams opted out of the Durand Cup. For us, I think we can say that with some degree of certainty that to play it as an isolated tournament, although we do acknowledge the intent on AIFF’s part because they’re trying to sort out the calendar by bringing football to the club.

But if there is no guarantee of where we are going, why would you incur something right now? You bring the players over, you play the tournament, and then what, send them back again? It costs a lot of everything, and when you are already looking at a steep bill.”

He explained that players are primarily signed for the league, and sponsors also put in their investment, looking at the marketing opportunities available to them in a full-fledged season. With a three-game format at a neutral venue, the Super Cup would not be generating any revenue for the clubs, discouraging the sponsors from spending their bucks.

Also Read: Kerala Blasters CEO Abhik Chatterjee unconvinced about Super Cup without clarity on ISL future

Time to stay committed

Kerala Blasters CEO remains optimistic, as he believes sense will prevail and key stakeholders will be able to come up with a solution that will drive away the dark clouds and put things in place with an enduring vision for the sustainable future of Indian football.

“I think at this moment, if we stop blaming, stop pointing fingers at each other, I think everybody needs to come together, including the fans, including all the stakeholders.”, appealing to all those having a stake in the Indian Football ecosystem, Abhik urged that it is time to stick together.

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