New Delhi: The Indian Super League’s 2025-26 edition has been postponed for an indefinite period as there is no headway in contractual agreements with the All India Football Federation, its organisers have informed the clubs on Friday.
Reliance subsidiary Football Sports Development Limited, the AIFF’s marketing partners, have written a letter informing that since no development has been achieved on the renewal of master rights agreement (MRA), they have been compelled to this decision but it “has not been taken lightly”.
“We write to provide an update on the status of the upcoming 2025–26 ISL season. As you are aware, the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between FSDL and AIFF is scheduled to expire on 8th December 2025 – approximately one-third of the way through a typical ISL season, which runs from September to April,” FSDL wrote.
“While discussions between FSDL and AIFF on the potential renewal of the MRA were initiated several months ago, they remain inconclusive at this time. In the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the 2025–26 ISL season.
“Given this situation, we regret to inform you that we are currently not in a position to proceed with the 2025–26 ISL season and are placing it on hold until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure beyond end of current MRA term.”
The ISL was supposed to be held on a window between September 14 and April 30.
Offer & counter-offer rejected
As reported on March 10 and 18, FSDL, over two meetings on February 5 and March 5, tabled a no-cash deal and no relegation-promotion proposal, along with formation of a new entity to organise the ISL in which profit-sharing would be as per 60 percent stake of clubs, 26 precent of FSDL and the remaining 14 percent of the AIFF.
FSDL had also claimed to have suffered a Rs 5000 crore loss during its 15-year partnership with the AIFF.
The federation sent a counter offer on March 21 of continuation of the existing Rs 50 crore or 5% of profit terms that both parties had agreed in December 2010, which FSDL rejected on April 24, while reiterating its earlier proposal, which was also turned down.
The AIFF then briefly mulled with an idea of floating a new 16-team league but it has existed only on paer since it was discussed among select top officials on March 9.
With the 15-year contract ending in December of this year, and as both parties couldn’t arrive at an agreement the Supreme Court put a halt on negotiations.
Through separate meetings, FSDL had raised its concerns to clubs, who then slowed down transfer negotiations and postponed pre-seasons, with seven of the pulling out of the upcoming Durand Cup.
“This communication is being issued by FSDL on a bona-fide basis and in the interest of transparency, to enable all Clubs to plan appropriately for any potential contingencies. Please be assured that FSDL is monitoring developments closely and will continue to keep Clubs informed in a timely and transparent manner,” FSDL said.
“FSDL want to build a long-term structure that is based on standard practices in most developing footballing nations,” a person aware of the development told News9 Sports.
The AIFF is yet to issue a statement in response to FSDL’s letter. “They have given some clarity to clubs. So let us wait for the Supreme Court directive before taking any step,” an AIFF official, unwilling to be identified, said.
The clubs, aware of this step from before, are also left with not much to do but they could think of terminating contracts of players citing ‘force majeure’.