Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the operator and commercial partner of Indian soccer’s domestic top-flight Indian Super League (ISL), has announced the suspension of the competition.
This decision has come amid a standoff with India’s soccer governing body, the AIFF, over negotiations for a new ‘master rights agreement’ (MRA) contract, with FDSL saying it is “not in a position to proceed” without a new deal being signed.
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AIFF’s initial 15-year commercial contract with FSDL was signed in 2010, and is due to expire at the end of 2025, which would be midway through the 2025-26 ISL campaign.
The 2025-26 Indian Super League was scheduled to begin on September 14, and run through May 9, but the current MSA expires on December 8.
That deal currently sees FSDL pay 50 crore Rupees (US$5.8 million) per year for the total commercial and operations rights for the competition, as well as the Indian national team.
In March, FSDL proposed a new ownership model for the ISL, with its (currently 14) member clubs holding 60% of the league, while FSDL holds 26% and the AIFF 14%.
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By GlobalDataThe AIFF rejected that proposal, returning with a simpler offer for an annual cash sum in April, 50 crore Rupees once again, with a 5% annual increase, a proposal that FSDL rejected.
A resolution to the negotiations may yet take time, as the AIFF is currently looking to pass a new constitution through the Indian Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, as such, advised the AIFF not to negotiate a new MRA with FSDL until the constitution had been confirmed (reportedly this is expected next week).
That order was given in late April, meaning there has been no movement on a new MRA in months, a factor that is putting the squeeze on the 14 ISL teams, many of which are already releasing their more costly foreign players to find clubs elsewhere in order to ease the wage burden without a confirmed league start time.
This is especially onerous for the likes of Mohun Bagan SG, ISL champions in 2024-25, which will have to represent India in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two continental competition, with neither a solid pre-season, contractual security for its biggest names, nor, potentially, a running domestic league to generate revenue and maintain match fitness.
In a statement published on July 12, the AIFF said: “Based on legal advice, discussions between the AIFF and FSDL, renewal discussions have been in abeyance pending further directions from the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.
“The AIFF and its stakeholders will take all possible steps and do all things within their power to ensure continuity of the ISL in the best interests of Indian football. We request the understanding of all stakeholders in the interim.”
FDSL was founded as a subsidiary of major Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries, alongside sports and entertainment agency IMG and major domestic broadcaster Star Sports.
The business is now owned 65% by Reliance and 35% by Star, and is operated as a Reliance business unit.
