The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that KPMG India Services LLP, a leading consulting firm, has been selected to manage the sale of its commercial rights. The decision, follows a competitive Request for Quotation (RFQ) process initiated by the federation. This move is a crucial step for the AIFF as it seeks to boost revenue and address the financial uncertainty that has recently plagued Indian football, particularly concerning the future of the Indian Super League (ISL).
A three-member Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) was responsible for the selection process. The committee was chaired by former Supreme Court judge Mr. Justice L. Nageswara Rao and included AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and independent member Kesvaran Murugasu. After a thorough evaluation, KPMG India was declared the successful bidder, having met the stringent eligibility criteria outlined in the RFQ document.
According to the RFQ, firms needed to have a minimum average annual turnover of Rs 100 crore over the last five financial years. Additionally, they were required to have at least five years of operational experience and a proven track record of executing a minimum of five similar assignments for at least three distinct clients, which could include governments, sports federations, or leagues in India. The federation also specified that no bids would be accepted from blacklisted or debarred entities.
The uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) had led to the 2025-26 ISL season being put on hold. This had severe consequences, with some clubs either pausing first-team operations or suspending player and staff salaries. The AIFF’s decision to appoint an independent firm to manage the commercial rights process is a direct response to this crisis, aiming to bring much-needed clarity and stability.
In a recent Supreme Court hearing, the AIFF and FSDL agreed to conduct a transparent tender process for a new commercial partner to run the ISL. Both parties consented to conclude this process by October 15, 2025, to provide certainty to all stakeholders. Subject to approval from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the ISL season could commence in December, allowing Indian football to finally move forward and put the recent turmoil behind it.
