ISL Clubs Propose Higher Revenue Share and Structural Changes to Acquire League Commercial Rights Amid Continued AIFF Tensions

In an attempt to resolve the prolonged administrative impasse and financial instability plaguing Indian football, the Indian Super League (ISL) club owners have escalated their efforts to secure the league’s long-term commercial and operational rights. Amidst growing uncertainty stemming from the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) recent bidding process, a unified coalition of 13 out of the 14 active club owners has formally countered with an improved collective financial package. The franchises have actively pushed for the formation of a dedicated “Club Working Committee” consisting of prominent owners and club executives to negotiate directly with the national federation. This move comes as the clubs express strong dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency and consultation provided during the AIFF’s recent evaluation of major commercial bids from external companies like Genius Sports and FanCode.  

The push for a club-driven model is heavily motivated by deep-rooted concerns over the long-term sustainability and financial viability of the teams, which routinely operate at massive losses with annual budgets frequently exceeding ₹25 crore. Under the AIFF’s proposed commercial rights tender—where London-headquartered Genius Sports emerged as the highest bidder with a ₹2,129 crore offer over 20 years—clubs are highly skeptical of the hybrid “net revenue” distribution model. Team executives argue that once heavy production, marketing, and operational expenses are deducted, the actual trickle-down financial pool to the clubs remains negligible and fails to solve their core economic challenges. By offering a more structured, higher-value central revenue stream and proposing a permanent club-owned league model under the AIFF’s regulatory oversight, the owners aim to establish a self-sustaining ecosystem that mirrors globally accepted best practices in professional sports.