The uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season eased further following discussions between Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, ISL club representatives and officials from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in New Delhi.
Sources indicate that the Sports Minister assured clubs that the ISL would go ahead as scheduled and emphasised the importance of the league as India’s premier football competition and a key platform for the development of national team players.
One of the major outcomes of the discussions was progress on a new financial structure between the clubs and the AIFF. Under the proposed club-led model, each participating club is expected to contribute ₹1.1 crore per season to the federation. If all 14 clubs take part, the AIFF would receive ₹15.4 crore annually under the arrangement.
The proposal is understood to cover the next four seasons and has emerged as the preferred alternative to the previously discussed commercial framework involving Genius Sports. The club-led structure would provide the AIFF with a higher guaranteed annual return than the amount projected under the Genius Sports model.
The meeting also resulted in a decision to form a joint task force comprising representatives from the clubs and the AIFF. The body will work on creating a sustainable roadmap for the league, focusing on commercial growth, sponsorship acquisition, media rights and long-term revenue generation.
Clubs also raised concerns regarding increasing operational costs and sought support on stadium-related expenses, which have become a significant financial burden for several teams.
The latest developments follow months of discussions over the league’s future commercial structure. While clubs were not opposed to working with Genius Sports, they had reservations about the proposed framework and sought greater involvement in the league’s commercial and operational management. This led to a series of meetings among club owners before a formal alternative proposal was submitted to the AIFF.
Sources further suggest that former AIFF president Praful Patel played an important role in facilitating discussions and helping stakeholders move towards a consensus.
The issue remains significant for Indian football, with more than 150 ISL players currently out of contract and several clubs delaying squad planning due to uncertainty surrounding the new season. Preparations for clubs set to represent India in AFC competitions have also been impacted.
Although the AIFF has already announced a calendar with the Durand Cup scheduled to begin in the second week of July, stakeholders are now awaiting further discussions between the federation and clubs to finalise the league’s long-term operating framework.
For Further Updates, Stay Tuned to RevSportz
The post ISL Clubs, AIFF Move Closer to New Deal; ₹15.4 Crore Annual Contribution Model Gains Momentum appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
