The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has released the second volume of its Request for Proposal (RFP) for awarding the rights to monetize its commercial properties at Indian Football for a limited term.
This document, titled Volume II: Draft Contract, marks a watershed moment in Indian football’s structural and commercial evolution. It lays out the contractual framework for a potential long-term partnership one that could define the financial and operational architecture of Indian football’s top-tier league, the Indian Super League (ISL), for the next 15 seasons, starting December 2025.
At its core, the agreement seeks to grant a single company the “Commercial Rights Holder” exclusive global rights to monetise the AIFF’s commercial properties tied to the ISL. This encompasses advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, sponsorships, data rights, and much more. The document’s tone is clear: AIFF intends to centralise control, maximise value, and professionalize its commercial approach through a robust and transparent long-term contract. The draft agreement envisions a 15-season term, effectively covering Indian football’s commercial cycle till 2040.
This marks the federation’s attempt to provide long-term stability and investor confidence, a necessary shift from the fragmented and ad-hoc arrangements that have previously characterised Indian football’s commercial landscape.
Breaking Down the Commercial Scope
Under Clause 3, the AIFF grants the company “sole and exclusive rights throughout the Territory (the world)” to exploit all commercial aspects of the ISL. This includes:
- Broadcast and Media Rights: Covering all forms of transmission terrestrial, satellite, cable, digital, and on-demand streaming. The rights holder would control the ISL’s global feed, ensuring the league’s availability across platforms.
- Advertising and Sponsorship Rights: Exclusive in-stadium, digital, and apparel branding opportunities.
- Gaming, Esports, and Fantasy Rights: A significant modern inclusion, granting the company rights to develop and monetise esports and fantasy platforms tied to ISL teams and players.
- Merchandising and Licensing Rights: Enabling the commercialisation of ISL-branded products.
- Data Rights: Providing control over player and match statistics, fantasy data, and analytical content.
The company will retain all revenues generated from these rights, paying AIFF an annual “Guaranteed Fee” or 5% of gross revenues, whichever is higher.
The Financial Model: Guaranteed Returns and Performance Safeguards
The contract’s Schedule 1 outlines a detailed payment schedule, cementing the financial backbone of this partnership. The company is required to pay AIFF a guaranteed annual fee, starting from a base value to be proposed during bidding, with payments scheduled quarterly after Year 1. Crucially, if 5% of gross annual revenues exceed the guaranteed payment, the company must pay the difference to AIFF. This structure ensures AIFF’s interests are tied to the league’s commercial success while maintaining predictable revenue streams.
To safeguard performance, the company must provide a Performance Security equivalent to three times the first-year guaranteed payment, valid throughout the 15-year term. This clause gives AIFF recourse in case of breach or non-performance.
One of the standout features of the RFP is the dual-layered governance structure. The document proposes two key bodies:
- Governing Council: A six-member group comprising representatives from AIFF, the company, the broadcast rights holder, and participating teams. It will oversee strategic and commercial decisions, ensuring all stakeholders have a voice.
- Management Committee: Equally split between AIFF and company representatives, this committee will meet bi-annually to monitor operations and resolve issues.
In case of a deadlock within the Governing Council, AIFF’s senior representative holds a casting vote ensuring the federation’s ultimate control over crucial decisions.
The contract also embeds several key operational decisions, notably under Schedule 6, which provides a glimpse into the future of the ISL’s sporting and commercial structure.
- The 2025–26 season will feature 14 teams competing in a double round-robin format, totaling 189 matches.
- Promotion and relegation will be implemented at the end of the first season, fulfilling one of the long-standing AFC roadmap commitments.
- No franchise fees will be levied from the 2025–26 season onwards. Instead, founding teams will contribute 10% of their revenue, and non-founding or newly promoted teams 20%, for up to ten years.
- AIFF and the company will jointly finalise fixture lists and maintain match standards in accordance with international regulations.
If fewer than 189 matches are played, the company can seek a proportional reduction in guaranteed payments, but not below ₹30 crore a clause ensuring fairness amid scheduling disruptions.
Grassroots and Financial Accountability
The RFP includes a strong developmental component. The company is mandated to contribute:
- 2.5% of gross revenues towards grassroots football in the first five years, and
- 5% from Year 6 onwards, either as CSR contributions or direct investment.
Seventy percent of these funds will be allocated to ISL teams for grassroots initiatives, while the remainder will support I-League clubs. Teams will be required to spend and account for these funds transparently, verified by the Governing Council. This structural linkage between commercial profits and developmental expenditure marks a progressive shift, potentially ensuring that Indian football’s growth is both commercial and foundational.
Salary Cap and Club Regulations
AIFF has introduced a strict salary cap regime to maintain competitive balance. From the 2025–26 season, the cap will be pegged at ₹18 crore per club, including bonuses but excluding coaching and non-playing staff salaries.
All clubs must adhere to this ceiling, with AIFF empowered to audit financial statements and impose penalties for breaches. Additional governance provisions prohibit conflicts of interest, such as player relatives holding financial or employment ties within the same club ownership structure.
The RFP lays out comprehensive technical and production standards, specifying 14-camera coverage, Dolby 5.1 audio, and multilingual commentary. Clubs hosting matches must ensure 24×7 equipment security and adequate broadcast infrastructure. Notably, AIFF mandates the introduction of a Football Video Support System (FVSS) from 2025–26, with a possible upgrade to full Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology from Year 6. This indicates AIFF’s intent to bring Indian football broadcasting on par with global standards.
Revenue Distribution and Club Payments
The Central Revenue Pool comprising income from sponsorships, media rights, and other commercial deals—will be shared between the company and ISL clubs.
- Founding clubs will receive a higher share compared to non-founding ones, with a minimum 20% differential.
- The exact ratios will mirror or exceed the 2024–25 revenue distribution structure.
- Relegated clubs will receive parachute payments of up to 40% of their previous central revenue share, depending on tenure in the league, ensuring financial stability post-relegation.
Legal and Dispute Resolution Framework
The agreement falls under Indian law, with New Delhi as the arbitration venue. A three-member arbitral tribunal—including a retired High Court judge will oversee disputes, and the Delhi High Court will hold exclusive jurisdiction. Confidentiality clauses restrict disclosure of financial terms, while termination provisions empower AIFF to end the agreement if performance guarantees or fee payments are not met within stipulated timelines.
A Balancing Act Between Commercialization and Control
What stands out most in this RFP is AIFF’s attempt to balance commercial autonomy with institutional control. While the company will enjoy sweeping commercial rights, AIFF retains key levers through the Governing Council, veto powers, and regulatory oversight.
This structure is designed to avoid the pitfalls of past partnerships where private entities dominated strategic decision-making, often at the cost of federation authority. The inclusion of rigorous reporting such as audited revenue certificates, viewership data, and performance reviews further strengthens AIFF’s position.
AIFF’s RFP Volume II (2025) is more than a commercial tender it’s a governance blueprint that signals Indian football’s maturing ecosystem. By embedding financial transparency, shared decision-making, promotion-relegation, and grassroots reinvestment into the contract’s DNA, AIFF is seeking to ensure that commercial growth translates into sporting progress. If executed with integrity and foresight, this agreement could usher in an era where Indian football’s economic model aligns with global best practices sustainable, inclusive, and growth-oriented.
The next step, however, lies in choosing the right commercial partner one capable of not just monetising the ISL but elevating the stature of Indian football itself.
