The AIFF has designed a 20-season plan for the Indian Super League (ISL), in which competing clubs must pay a Rs 1 Crore participation fee under an ‘open model’, inclusive of promotion and relegation. AIFF, as well as the clubs, feel this framework could be strong and can protect the interests of both parties.
Though owned and operated by AIFF as mandated in its Supreme Court-approved constitution, governance of the league would rest on a board formed with approval from its general body that would enjoy “certain operational autonomy over commercial matters”, addressing concerns over financial viability and salability.
“The jurisdiction of the board would be limited to the utilization of unrestricted funds within the yearly operational budget earmarked for the same,” it was written in the AIFF document shared with clubs.
Clubs displayed no reservations on the idea of a governing board, details of which would be worked out in due course.
In a meeting attended by all 13 ISL clubs for the first year, the operational budget is estimated at approximately Rs 70 crore, with AIFF’s fixed revenue share being 10 per cent, with a yearly contribution of Rs 7 crore, which they will invest in their youth leagues.
Clubs are entitled to 50 per cent of shares, contributing Rs 35 crore to the general revenue pool, while the commercial partner will commit Rs 21 crore.
The remaining 10 per cent share is earmarked for club allocation for ‘fixed revenue share’, amounting to Rs 7 crore, which will proceed towards the general revenue pool.
Clubs are willing to consider it and would engage in internal discussions to go through the nitty-gritty of operational expenses, salary cap, and protection of investment before engaging with AIFF again on December 29 to iron out the details.
They would also meet a day before to finalise one among the condensed models that AIFF has presented for the stalled 2025-26 edition. In that case, the tentative kick-off of the ISL this season might take place on 5th February.
Clubs had earlier proposed to AIFF a cumulative Rs 10 crore per year for perpetual ownership of the League, which was turned down by its general body after AIFF had sought discussions on joint-organisation.
If hand-shakes between the clubs and the AIFF happen finally happen on December 29, AIFF needs to get it ratified in its general meeting then place the proposal before the ministry for approval from the Court, possibly on 5th January when it resumes after the winter break., clubs had a good feeling when they spoke to AIFF’s three-member committee specifically formed to find a way through on 24th December.
