New Delhi: The All India Football Federation has been urged not to make any “binding decision” on commercial bids at its executive committee with a suggestion of careful consideration of key queries for avoidance of ushering in “a period of uncertainties”.
Faced with a Rs 2129 crore from Genius Sports and Rs 1190 crore offers from Fancode for commercial rights of the Indian Super League and Federation Cup for the next 20 years, AIFF will place the matter before its executive committee members in a meeting in New Delhi on Sunday.
Before the meeting clubs collectively requested for “no binding decision” be taken at that meeting as “doing so, before the clubs have had a proper opportunity to understand the bidders and deliberate amongst themselves, would not be in keeping with the spirit of inclusiveness and collective decision-making that we have all repeatedly spoken about and sought to uphold”.
Insisting that the clubs’ request is not made not to delay matters “unnecessarily, nor to create difficulty”, clubs requested AIFF to facilitate separate presentations and discussions with Genius Sports and FanCode, to “properly evaluate their respective approaches”.
As AIFF’s current regime completes its four-year term in the “next six months”, executive committee member Avijit Paul raised the need to tread cautiously before arriving at a final decision as it might have a “huge impact on Indian football” in the next 20 years.
“I am happy to know through media reports that the AIFF’s efforts to attract bidders for the Indian Super League, the Federation Cup, and the IWL have proved fruitful since at least three bidders have pitched in to promise substantial amounts for the next 15 to 20 years,” he wrote in a letter to president Kalyan Chaubey and his fellow members.
“However, without undermining the entire process, it has raised a few questions in mind, which I would like to share with all of you.”
He pointed out though the sums were “substantial”, AIFF’s income from Genius’ offer (Rs 64 crore annually) would be around Rs 13 crore per annum while for Fancode’s offer (Rs 36 crore) it would be Rs 7 crore annually as per 20% guaranteed takeaway from the deals.
Since AIFF‘s would have to spend around Rs 6-7 crore every season for bearing of “technical and other responsibilities” of the two competitions, it would have around Rs 7 crore in its coffer after conclusion of each season should they agree to Genuis’ offer.
AIFF opens bids for RFP for Commercial rights of club competitions.#IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/o71aKfAAxQ
— Indian Football (@IndianFootball) March 27, 2026
Show me the money
If compared AIFF‘s Rs 50 crore annual deal for all competitions with previous marketing partners FSDL, Paul opined that the amounts offered are “moderate” and wondered how organisation of its 17 other competitions, excluding the second division Indian Football League, for which a sum of Rs 25 to 30 crore is required would be possible.
“Do we have the fund assured to run these competitions, which include a series of age groups and senior National Championships in both men’s and women’s categories? A shortage of funds might have a crippling effect on the state associations and their activities,” he observed.
A similar concern was raised for the running 8/9 national teams (age groups, senior, men’s, and women’s) that requires around Rs 30-35 crore annually.
“Though the Government of India and certain state governments had always been kind enough to support us, the AIFF, by a conservative estimate, will have to raise around Rs. 20 crores annually to keep the light burning,” was his observation.
Paul also wondered from where Rs 8 crore will come for the development fund for state associations and Rs 15 to 20 crore for AIFF’s annual salary bill while pointing out that ignoring demands and concerns of clubs could be “counterproductive”.
“We must not forget the fact that weakening the structure of club football would amount to leaving the plinth of the sport shaky. After all, the clubs not only spend hundreds of crores every year on the game but also play a major role in taking Indian football ahead,” he said.
“We are somehow duty-bound to protect their interests to the greatest possible extent,” Paul added.
On the other hand, the clubs said that after evaluation of bids, they should be given “reasonable time” to deliberate internally as it is not a “routine commercial appointment” but would have long-term consequences.
Some members have also pointed out that AIFF’s constitution stipulates that any decision regarding commercial arrangements for a period longer than four years and exceeding amount of Rs 5 crore must be approved at an AGM/SGM by at least 75% of its members present and eligible to vote.