Stop Being So Greedy, AIFF! SC Urges For Revision Of ISL Bidding After Initial Failure

Why has the AIFF failed to attract any bids for the ISL? Well, they’re just being too greedy as always.

Justice (Retd.) L Nageswara Rao has urged a reset of the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) commercial

game plan, recommending a balance between the federation’s autonomy and the financial realities facing prospective ISL bidders.

In a report submitted to the Supreme Court, the SC-appointed panel, led by Justice Rao, flagged why the AIFF’s recent tender to monetise the ISL drew zero bids, leaving Indian football in limbo.

The Big Sticking Points? Minimal representation for commercial partners in the AIFF’s governing council, a steep minimum guaranteed payment, limited decision-making powers, and tight restrictions on managing or sub-licensing key rights.

Rao noted that the minimum guaranteed payment, widely blamed for scaring bidders away, needs a rethink. He suggested restructuring or reducing the financial burden to make the deal viable without compromising AIFF revenues.

He also recommended overhauling the governing council to give commercial partners equal representation, arguing that bidders won’t take on heavy financial and operational risk without a real seat at the table. The proposed veto power for the AIFF’s senior representative was another major red flag for bidders.

The Request for Proposals, issued on October 16 for a 15-year commercial rights deal, offered bidders just one seat out of six on the council: a structure that bidders felt left them powerless.

The report added that restrictions on managing and sub-licensing broadcasting and related rights were another dealbreaker, especially since these rights are central to monetising the league.

The urgency is high: the ISL’s current commercial agreement with FSDL, in place since 2010, expires on December 8, and the ongoing uncertainty has already pushed some clubs to suspend football operations.

Justice Rao concluded that while the AIFF should retain primacy over essential regulatory functions, day-to-day commercial and logistical management of the ISL should lie squarely with the commercial partner.

(with PTI inputs)