In a significant legal development for Indian volleyball’s professional ecosystem, the Madras High Court has dismissed a petition filed by the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) challenging an arbitral award in its commercial dispute with Baseline Ventures.
The court has directed the federation to pay an amount exceeding ₹7 crore to the sports marketing firm in connection with the 2019 Pro Volleyball League.
The order, delivered on February 17, 2026, by Justice N. Anand Venkatesh, upheld the arbitral award dated November 21, 2020, which arose from an agreement between the two parties regarding the organisation and conduct of the inaugural Pro Volleyball League in India. The petition had been filed under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking to set aside the award.
In its ruling, the court observed that the findings of the arbitrator were grounded in a detailed interpretation of the contractual terms, supported by the evaluation of relevant evidence and established legal principles governing arbitration proceedings. With the dismissal of VFI’s petition, the arbitral award now stands confirmed, effectively bringing the prolonged legal dispute to a close.
As per the court’s directive, the Volleyball Federation of India has been instructed to pay Baseline Ventures ₹4 crore along with 12% annual interest calculated from the commencement of the arbitral proceedings until the date of payment. Additionally, the federation has been ordered to bear ₹5 lakh towards arbitration costs and ₹2.5 lakh as court costs. Taken together, the total financial liability of VFI now amounts to slightly over ₹7 crore as of the date of the judgement.
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The case has its origins in the commercial arrangement between VFI and Baseline Ventures for the execution of the 2019 Pro Volleyball League, which marked India’s first attempt at establishing a structured professional volleyball competition. The league was envisioned as a platform to enhance player visibility, create commercial opportunities within the sport, and strengthen the broader volleyball ecosystem in the country.
Following the judgement, Tuhin Mishra, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Baseline Ventures, welcomed the outcome, stating that the company had maintained confidence in the judicial process throughout the proceedings.
“From day one, we knew that Baseline has been on the right side and were wrongly treated. We always had full faith in our judicial process and our fight was not just a fight for our own reputation but for the rights of volleyball players of India and the sport in general,” Mishra said.
He further added that the decision represents a positive moment for stakeholders who believe in athlete-first governance and the importance of building sustainable professional frameworks within Indian sport.
“The professional league was created to build a platform for players, coaches, and fans. It is heartening to see our vision being upheld in the court of law. We hope this serves as a reminder that the growth of any sport depends on decisions made in the interest of its players, coaches, and the overall ecosystem,” he noted.
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The High Court’s ruling is expected to have wider implications for contractual governance and commercial partnerships within Indian sports administration, particularly in emerging professional leagues. As federations and private entities increasingly collaborate to develop competitive structures, the judgement underscores the importance of adherence to contractual obligations and dispute resolution mechanisms under Indian arbitration law.
With the arbitral award now legally validated, the focus shifts to compliance with the payment directive, as stakeholders across Indian volleyball continue to assess the long-term impact of the decision on the sport’s professional trajectory.
