Credit: The Athletic
The Indian Super League (ISL), long touted as the engine for Indian football’s professional growth, now finds itself on the brink of collapse. What began as a short delay to the 2025-26 pre-season has spiraled into a crisis of governance, finance, and credibility — with no clear resolution in sight.
How the Crisis Began
At first, players and staff were told the postponement was a minor administrative delay. But as weeks stretched on, communication dried up. By July, the ISL season had been indefinitely suspended.
The core issue lies in a dispute between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) — Indian football’s governing body — and Football Sports Development Ltd (FSDL), the Reliance-backed entity that operates the ISL. At stake is the Master Rights Agreement (MRA): the framework that dictates how the league is run, who controls commercial rights, and how revenues are shared.
Signed in 2010, the 15-year MRA gave FSDL operational control in exchange for annual payments to the AIFF. But with the deal expiring in December 2025, negotiations over profit distribution have stalled — worsened by a Supreme Court ruling that temporarily restricted AIFF from making binding decisions until its constitutional issues are resolved.
The Human Impact
The suspension has already triggered visible damage:
- Bengaluru FC suspended salaries for players and staff.
- Chennaiyin FC announced a pause in operations.
- Odisha FC publicly admitted it could no longer justify continued investment.
For hundreds of players, coaches, referees, and support staff, the uncertainty has been devastating. Some have been told they are free to find new clubs; others remain tied to contracts with no clarity on pay. International professionals are already leaving, while domestic players — many of whom support extended families — face limited options abroad and sharp pay cuts if forced out of India.
FIFPro, the global players’ union, has intervened, warning that the situation exposes deeper governance failings and calling for structural reform.
Broken Promises of the ISL
When launched in 2014, the ISL was marketed as a hybrid of the IPL and Major League Soccer, mixing corporate muscle, Bollywood ownership, and ageing international stars like Alessandro Del Piero and Robert Pirès. The ambition was clear: transform Indian football into a global commercial force.
While the league expanded to 14 clubs and attracted investors like City Football Group (owners of Manchester City), it never reached the scale of profitability FSDL had envisioned. Now, as the MRA nears expiry, that gap between ambition and reality has caught up with Indian football.
What Happens Next?
The Supreme Court has given AIFF and FSDL until August 28 to negotiate. Options include:
- A short-term settlement to resume the 2025-26 season.
- A contracted season or partial schedule.
- The collapse of the ISL as currently structured, with AIFF potentially forming a new league.
The uncertainty is damaging credibility with sponsors, broadcasters, and fans. Clubs are already considering radical measures — including suspension, wage cuts, or withdrawal from the top flight altogether.
Lessons from the ISL Collapse
At 365247 Consultancy, we see the ISL crisis as a case study in governance and commercial fragility. For leagues and federations worldwide, the key lessons are:
- Future-proof commercial rights: Agreements must adapt to changing market realities, not lock parties into outdated expectations.
- Prioritise governance stability: Legal disputes and leadership uncertainty erode trust with investors, sponsors, and players.
- Plan crisis communication: Silence magnifies damage. Stakeholders need clarity — even when answers are uncomfortable.
- Align ambition with sustainability: The ISL promised a global revolution but failed to deliver consistent financial returns. Growth must be realistic, not aspirational alone.
The Bigger Picture
Indian football has long been positioned as the “final frontier” for the global game, with its vast population and growing youth base. But this crisis risks setting back progress by a decade.
As one ISL player admitted: “If someone asks me today, do you think ISL will happen? I would say I’m not sure.”
The future of professional football in India hangs in the balance. What happens in the next few weeks could define the sport’s trajectory for years to come.
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IMAGE: ISL
