The All India Football Federation (AIFF) continues to navigate a pivotal moment in Indian football's commercial ecosystem, as its Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) convened on Sunday, November 9, 2025, to review
proposals for monetising its commercial and media rights.
At the heart of the deliberation lies the long-running and complex AIFF-ISL dynamic, which has shaped much of Indian club football's trajectory over the past decade.
According to the AIFF's official release, the BEC, chaired by Justice (Retd.) L. Nageswara Rao, met to evaluate the "Request for Proposal" (RFP) process concerning the awarding of commercial rights belonging to the federation for a limited term. The committee discussed the progress made and will now submit its findings to the Supreme Court of India, signaling that the matter has reached a crucial procedural juncture.
"The Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) held a meeting on Sunday, November 9, 2025 to review and discuss the status of the "Request for Proposal (RFP) for Awarding the Right to Monetise the Commercial Rights Belonging to the All India Football Federation for a Limited Term," a statement from AIFF read.
"Following the deliberations of the Committee, the Chairperson of the BEC, Justice (Retd.) L. Nageswara Rao, will submit his report to the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India as the next step in the process," it added.
The AIFF-ISL Power Equation
This development comes amid heightened scrutiny over the federation's commercial partnerships, particularly its arrangements surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL), which has been the AIFF's sanctioned top-tier competition since its inception in 2014. For years, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), a subsidiary of Reliance-backed IMG-Reliance, has held exclusive rights to run and market the ISL under a long-term agreement with the AIFF.
The relationship, however, has not been without friction. With the AIFF attempting to re-evaluate its overall commercial rights structure, questions resurfaced about whether the federation intended to renegotiate or redefine its partnership with FSDL beyond the current contractual term.
Reports suggest that several stakeholders-club owners, state associations, and even former administrators urged greater financial transparency and a more equitable distribution of revenues.
Justice Rao's submission of the committee's findings to the apex court is expected to pave the way for a final direction on how the federation's commercial rights, including those tied to domestic leagues and national team broadcast properties, will be handled in the coming years.
At the moment, the footballing window remains a conundrum. The AIFF Super Cup concluded its group stages and the final will take place in the early weeks of December. What happens after that? It remains an enigma!
