AIFF, ISL teams reconcile, sign four-year agreement, move towards club-led model | Football News
New Delhi: All India Football Federation (AIFF) and indian premier league On Wednesday, Indian Football Club (ISL) announced a four-year agreement on a club-led model for Indian football’s top tier on the same platform. Under the agreement, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be created to run the commercial aspects of ISL. If all 14 clubs participate, AIFF will receive a management fee of Rs 15.4 crore (Rs 11 crore per club) and 10% of net profit.TimesofIndia.com understands that an agreement has been reached between the ISL clubs and AIFF on three sticking points: independent audit of the SPV; 10% net profit share and termination clause.
The AIFF will serve as the national governing body responsible for refereeing, legality, integrity and anti-doping.In addition to Rs 110 crore in the first year, ISL clubs will contribute Rs 115 crore, Rs 120 crore and Rs 125 crore in the next three years. After two years, the club has the option to suspend the deal but must give appropriate notification to the AIFF.AIFF deputy general secretary M Satyanarayanan said: “The ISL will be a club-led business model. We will send a letter to all 14 teams asking them to pay the entry fee. Based on their reply, a decision will be taken on how the league will proceed.”“We plan for this to be a four-year model. After two years, clubs can decide whether they want to exit the model or continue. However, given the way things are progressing, that may not happen,” he continued.
New Delhi: All India Football Federation (AIFF) deputy general secretary M. Satyanarayan speaks at a press conference on the roadmap for the 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) season in New Delhi in the presence of FC Goa vice-president Ravi Pushkul (left). (PTI Photo) (PTI07_08_2026_000159B)
When the club-led model was proposed on May 14, AIFF did not fully accept it. But after a meeting with the sports minister, the position changed Mansukh Mandaviya June 8th.“AIFF has never said that we are against a club-led model. Earlier, there was an MRA (Master Rights Agreement) partner (FSDL) that ran the league. Then the Supreme Court came out with a ruling that AIFF has to own and run the league. So, based on that, now we will get a little more ownership to run the league,” explained Satyanarayanan.
New Delhi: All India Football Federation (AIFF) deputy general secretary M. Satyanarayan (centre), FC Goa vice president Ravi Puskur (left) and NorthEast United FC chief executive Mandar Tamhane during a press conference on the roadmap for the 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) season in New Delhi. (PTI Photo) (PTI07_08_2026_000157A)
“Now, whether it’s a third party like Genius Sport applying to run the league, or when our clubs come forward and they say we have the expertise, we’ll run it. The right choice we made was to trust our clubs as they are one of our biggest stakeholders. They know that if they don’t do it right, they’ll be in trouble. So, that’s the model,” he explained.Under the new model, a new entity will be created to oversee the operations of ISL. Its role includes, but is not limited to, attracting sponsors and broadcasters while ensuring the club’s long-term financial sustainability.Ravi Puskar, CEO of FC Goa, said: “We will appoint a professional team. You will see the job advertisements in the coming days and even weeks. Candidates will be interviewed in a very transparent manner among club personnel and selected by AIFF to be included in the interview panel. This professional team will take an independent decision for the league. There will not be any direct impact on the club.”
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“Unless of course this professional team does report to the council, which will have club representation at director or ownership level. This is obviously to ensure the sustainability of the league is maintained.But beyond that, the pro team will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the league. ” he explained further.Genius Sports had offered Rs 2,130 crore to acquire the commercial rights to the ISL and Confederations Cup over a 15+5-year period, but it is still in competition. Clubs are awaiting news from the London-based company now that the scope has changed.
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