The Supreme Court has agreed to hear pleas from stakeholders regarding the status of the Indian Super League (ISL). This comes as a relief to many fans anticipating the new season of India's premier football competition. The core of the issue revolves around the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Ltd. (FSDL), which has been on hold since April following a Supreme Court directive. The hearing is scheduled for August 22 and will be overseen by a bench led by Justice P.S. Narasimha.
The AIFF and ISL clubs have jointly approached the Supreme Court, citing significant delays in the 2025-26 season, the freezing of player contracts, and general operational disruptions stemming from the stalled MRA. The AIFF has also agreed to convey the concerns of the ISL clubs and players regarding the delayed start of the 2025-26 season to the Supreme Court.
The MRA, initially signed in 2010, granted FSDL exclusive commercial rights to operate and market the ISL for a duration of 15 years. These rights encompassed sponsorships, broadcasting, and overall league management, while ensuring an annual fee of $5.1 million for the AIFF. As the agreement nears its expiration on December 8, 2025, its renewal has been stalled while the court deliberates on the AIFF's constitutional validity. In April, the court barred AIFF from signing any fresh commercial contracts, casting a shadow over the upcoming season.
The AIFF organized a meeting between its legal team and ISL club representatives to address the current deadlock. All parties agreed that the concerns of the ISL clubs, the hardship faced by players, and other stakeholders would be presented to the Supreme Court. The AIFF initiated the renewal process with FSDL well in advance, formally requesting negotiations on November 21, 2024. Senior officials from both sides met in New Delhi on February 5, 2025, and in Mumbai on March 5, 2025, to discuss renewal terms.
FSDL has stated it was forced to put the 2025-26 season on hold because it could not effectively plan, organize, or commercialize the league without a signed MRA. The current agreement with the AIFF is set to expire on December 8, 2025, roughly one-third of the way into a typical ISL season, which runs from September to April. FSDL stated that no final response had been received from the AIFF on the renewal proposal, leaving the season in limbo.
While the agreement significantly contributed to transforming the ISL into India's premier football competition, expanding from eight clubs in 2013 to 14 currently, the current impasse has created considerable turmoil. Several clubs have suspended operations, broadcasters are facing uncertainty, and players' contracts remain frozen. Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, and Odisha FC are among the clubs that have been forced to halt salary payments. Bengaluru FC has suspended salaries to its senior team and support staff. The club stated that the lack of clarity on the League's future leaves them with no choice but to take this step.
The Supreme Court's intervention previously led to fresh elections and Kalyan Chaubey's presidency, and the FIFA suspension was lifted, restoring India's hosting rights for the U-17 Women's World Cup. The court has reserved its verdict on the AIFF constitution and will hear the case on August 18. The AIFF source said that they are willing to file a written application if the court asks for one.
