Bengaluru FC, captained by Sunil Chhetri, has announced the reinstatement of salaries for its first-team players and staff. This decision reverses the club's earlier move to suspend salaries due to uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL).
The initial suspension, which occurred last month, was a result of the ISL being placed "on hold" due to uncertainty regarding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). The club has confirmed that all pending payments to the first-team players and staff have been cleared.
Bengaluru FC released a statement on social media, expressing its commitment to the growth of Indian football and to providing its players, staff, and supporters with the highest standards of professionalism.
The decision to reinstate salaries follows an agreement between the AIFF and the FSDL, mediated by the Supreme Court, to initiate a tendering process for selecting a new commercial partner. This process is expected to be completed by October 15, allowing the ISL season to commence in December.
Furthermore, the AIFF has decided to hold the Super Cup tournament from October 25 to November 22, providing clubs with competitive matches. Bengaluru FC has confirmed its participation in the Super Cup and will begin preparations for the 2025-26 season on September 16 at its new training facility. Pre-season training is set to resume on September 14 at the new facilities.
While Bengaluru FC has reinstated salaries and is preparing for the upcoming season, other clubs are taking a more cautious approach. Odisha FC, for example, is awaiting clarity on financial matters and ISL dates before committing to future participation. Club owner Rohan Sharma cited the challenges of operating without clear financial receivables and league start dates, emphasizing the need for transparency.