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The AIFF’s new business tender for the Indian Super League failed to draw any bids, deepening uncertainty for the upcoming season.
Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal ISL 2024-25 Highlights
The tender, monitored by the Supreme Court with a Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC), headed by former Justice (Retd.) L. Nageswara Rao was anticipated to safe a long-term business companion and clear the best way for the delayed 2025-26 marketing campaign. Instead, Indian membership soccer has been pushed into contemporary turbulence.
Supreme Court-mandated roadmap hits a wall
In its assertion, AIFF stated the BEC, chaired by Justice Rao, met after the bid deadline expired with none purposes and determined that he would now submit an in depth report earlier than the Supreme Court on the failed course of.
The federation has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on 16 October 2025 for a 15-year business partnership overlaying ISL and wider AIFF rights – broadcasting, sponsorships, digital, and merchandising – with bids due by 7 November, 5 pm. The RFP itself specifies that the method is being administered by AIFF beneath the supervision of Justice Rao, in step with Supreme Court orders handed earlier this 12 months.
This tender is a direct end result of the authorized settlement between AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the Reliance-backed entity that has run the ISL since its inception. With the prevailing Master Rights Agreement expiring in December 2025, FSDL agreed to relinquish its business management, and the Supreme Court requested AIFF to conduct an open, clear tender beneath Justice Rao’s watch to make sure continuity of the league.
Despite that backing, and preliminary curiosity reportedly coming from a number of entities – together with FSDL itself, a international consortium, and not less than one home group – no get together finally submitted a monetary bid earlier than the deadline. Industry voices have pointed to a mismatch between AIFF’s monetary expectations and market realities as a key issue.
Also Read: AIFF will get no bidder for ISL; Bagan cease coaching
Clubs on edge as season delay grows
The collapse of the primary tender comes towards a backdrop of rising anger among the many golf equipment. Earlier, 10 ISL groups had written a strongly worded letter to AIFF, accusing the federation of poor communication and warning that delays in finalising the business mannequin have been making it ‘practically unattainable’ to plan sponsorships, squad constructing, and budgets for the 2025-26 season.
Reigning champions Mohun Bagan SuperGiants have already moved into drastic territory, saying an indefinite suspension of all soccer actions, together with their pre-season camp, citing a whole lack of readability over the league’s future. The membership has stated it’s going to evaluate participant and employees contracts subsequent month, although salaries haven’t but been halted.
The Supreme Court had earlier harassed the necessity for a well timed begin to the 2025-26 season, with the ISL and the Kalinga Super League forming the backbone of the home calendar. With the primary business tender stalling on the very first hurdle, AIFF should now return to the apex courtroom with options – doubtlessly a revised RFP, an interim stop-gap association, or a negotiated resolution – even because the clock ticks on membership preparations and the credibility of Indian soccer’s high tier comes beneath larger scrutiny.
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