The future of the Indian Super League, the country's top football competition, has been thrown into serious doubt after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) failed to attract a single bidder for its commercial rights tender. The deadline for the submission of the Request for Proposal expired on Friday, November 7, with not one entity expressing formal interest in the national federation's offer.
This development comes just weeks before the AIFF’s existing 15-year contract with the current commercial rights holder, Reliance subsidiary Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), is set to expire on December 8.
The AIFF had initiated the tender process on October 16, following the Supreme Court's approval of a new constitution in September. The federation sought a commercial partner for the next 15 years to manage the ISL’s broadcasting, sponsorship, digital, and merchandising rights.
The primary point of contention was the AIFF's financial demand: an annual payment of ₹37.5 crore or 5 percent of the gross revenue (whichever was higher), in addition to the responsibility for production, marketing, and the gradual adoption of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Despite initial interest and queries from entities including FSDL, FanCode (owned by Dream Sports), and a foreign consortium, none of the parties submitted a formal bid. Sources close to the negotiations indicated that the financial model proposed by the AIFF was deemed unsustainable.
One source stated, "What the AIFF demanded did not seem sustainable and so, after the initial interest, there were no formal bids." The AIFF also mandated compulsory promotion and relegation, and parachute payments for relegated teams, which are believed to have contributed to the high financial risk.
The failed bidding process leaves the AIFF in a cornered position, raising concerns over the league's continuity and the financial security of clubs and players. The 12th season of the ISL, usually starting earlier, has already been delayed, and with no commercial partner, further delays are considered inevitable, potentially jeopardizing the required number of matches needed for a continental license. As a result, senior club officials have expressed concern that the uncertainty "could force clubs to shut down or take drastic measures like cutting budgets and player salaries.”
In response the AIFF issued a statement: "No bids were received within the stipulated timeframe. The AIFF Bid Evaluation Committee... will convene over the weekend to review the situation and deliberate on the future course of action." The lack of interest from potential corporate partners also casts doubt on the credibility of the current AIFF leadership, leaving Indian football to fight for its identity and survival.
