# AIFF Proposes Joint Partnership With ISL Clubs to Organize League Amid Ongoing Crisis

URL: https://technosports.co.in/aiff-proposes-joint-partnership-with-isl-club/  
Published: 2025-12-11  
Updated: 2025-12-11  
Author: Ankush Mallick

The [All India Football Federation](https://www.the-aiff.com/) has communicated to **ISL** clubs that it is keen to collaborate with them in organizing the top-tier league for the stalled 2025-26 season, marking a potential breakthrough in the crisis that has left Indian football’s premier competition in limbo. The **AIFF** is seeking a “mutually agreeable solution” with the clubs so that this proposal can be included in the agenda points for the federation’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for December 20, 2025.

In a letter sent to **ISL** club chief executives, including FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur, **AIFF** Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan acknowledged the urgency of the situation and expressed willingness to explore the clubs’ proposal for joint organization of the league. This marks a significant shift in the federation’s approach after months of deadlock following the expiration of its Marketing Rights Agreement with Football Sports Development Limited on December 8, 2025.

## The Crisis Context

The **ISL** 2025-26 season has been on hold since June 2025 due to unresolved contractual issues between the **AIFF** and FSDL, the Reliance subsidiary that has organized the league since its inception in 2014. The 15-year Master Rights Agreement worth ₹700 crore officially ended on December 8, leaving the league without a commercial framework or operational certainty.

![AIFF](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FSDL-1024x644.webp)

The situation deteriorated further when the **AIFF’s** tender process to find a new commercial partner failed spectacularly, receiving zero bids despite initial interest from multiple parties including FSDL, FanCode, Conscient Heritage Group, and a foreign consortium. The tender’s terms—requiring a minimum guaranteed payment of ₹37.5 crore annually (totaling over ₹562 crore across 15 years) while offering minimal board representation—proved commercially unviable for potential bidders.

With central revenue evaporating overnight and the MRA expired, **ISL** clubs have found themselves in an untenable position. Twelve clubs issued urgent appeals warning that they continue paying player salaries, staff wages, academy costs, and stadium expenses without any predictable income, pushing them toward operational collapse.

## AIFF’s Acknowledgment of Joint Discussion

In the December 10 letter, the **AIFF** acknowledged that joint organization of the league was discussed during meetings held on November 12 and 18, 2025. The federation had expected a Supreme Court judgment on the clubs’ intervention application by November 19 or 20, but admitted that “***as we sit here on 10th December 2025, nothing has changed***.”

“***We recall that when we met on 12th and 18th November 2025, we also discussed possibility of organizing this league jointly***,” the **AIFF** stated in its communication. The federation expressed hope that legal clarity would emerge following the clubs’ intervention appeal filed with the Supreme Court, but conceded that the status quo remains unchanged despite the Sports Ministry’s promise to ensure the league would proceed.

## The Call for Urgent Action

Recognizing the mounting pressure and deteriorating situation, the **AIFF** proposed immediate action to break the impasse. “***Therefore, I suggest that a conference/virtual call may be arranged at the earliest between the undersigned and the club representatives to work towards a mutually agreeable solution so that AIFF can include this proposal in the agenda points of AIFF AGM to be held on 20th December 2025***,” Satyanarayan wrote.

The **AIFF** acknowledged that while a comprehensive solution cannot be achieved overnight, the game must go on and the league should begin “***at the earliest***.” The federation emphasized the investments made over the past 10-15 years by the marketing partner and clubs, stating: “***It goes without saying that over the last 10-15 years, the marketing partner and clubs have jointly made significant investments and footballs to bring meaningful changes to Indian club football. To safeguard these investments, it is necessary that we work on a war footing to minimise any loss of time***.”

## The Club Consortium Proposal

The **ISL** clubs had formally proposed in their December 4 letter that if a revised tender could not find a suitable commercial partner, the **AIFF** should “***consider a framework under which the ISL clubs may collectively form a consortium to own/operate the league (as majority owners), alongside the Federation and aligned commercial/broadcast/private investors.***“

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ISL-in-crisis.webp)

This proposal, referenced as Point No. 12 in the clubs’ communication, suggests a radical restructuring of Indian football’s top tier. The **AIFF** has now indicated willingness to explore this framework, stating: “***We can explore Point No. 12 mentioned in your email dated 2025, which states that ‘the AIFF consider a framework under which the collectively form a consortium…’. For this, we need to discuss the matter and seek approval in the AIFF EXCO and the AIFF AGM scheduled on 20th December 2025***.”

## Constitutional and Governance Challenges

However, the path forward remains fraught with complexity. The clubs have been vocal about constitutional constraints within the **AIFF** that make joint organization difficult. Articles 1.21, 1.54, and 63 of the **AIFF** Constitution contain commercial restrictions that the clubs argue have made the tendering process unworkable and limit their ability to attract sponsors, investors, and commercial partners.

The clubs have maintained that any joint organization framework requires constitutional amendments to remove these obstructive clauses. They have argued that the **AIFF** possesses internal authority to amend these statutes without waiting for judicial instruction, urging the federation to act swiftly in consultation with the government if required to protect the sport during this critical period.

## Mixed Reception Among Stakeholders

While the **AIFF’s** openness to joint organization represents progress, the proposal has received mixed reactions. The clubs initially broached this idea during their meeting with the Sports Ministry in New Delhi, though it did not receive support from at least two clubs at that time. Since then, one club has altered its stance while another remains unconvinced, holding internal discussions about future courses of action.

The **AIFF’s** response has also faced criticism for what some perceive as deflecting responsibility for the crisis. Critics point out that the federation allowed its ₹50 crore-a-year MRA with FSDL to lapse, designed a tender so commercially unworkable that it drew zero bids, and publicly maintained that “all is well” even as the situation deteriorated.

## The December 20 Deadline

The December 20 Annual General Meeting now looms as a crucial date for Indian football. The **AIFF** has committed to placing the joint organization proposal before both its Executive Committee and the AGM for discussion and approval. Whether this emergency meeting can produce a workable framework remains uncertain, but all stakeholders acknowledge that time is running out.

The proposal under consideration draws parallels with models used in major global football markets, particularly the English Premier League structure where clubs collectively own and operate the league alongside the Football Association. However, adapting such a model to India’s specific governance, commercial, and constitutional realities presents significant challenges.

## Urgent Need for Resolution

As the **ISL** remains frozen and clubs continue bleeding financially, the **AIFF’s** willingness to explore joint organization represents a critical step toward resolution. The success of this initiative will depend on whether constitutional amendments can be implemented quickly, whether all clubs can align around a common framework, and whether the Supreme Court provides the legal clarity necessary for the new structure to function.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Indian-Super-League.jpg)

The coming days leading to the December 20 meeting will prove decisive in determining whether Indian football’s top tier can be salvaged for the current season or whether the crisis will deepen, potentially causing irreversible damage to the infrastructure built over the past decade.

Read More: [Ajax Close to Signing Former Arsenal Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu on Short-Term Deal](https://technosports.co.in/ajax-close-signing-defender-takehiro-tomiyasu/)

## FAQs

### What has the AIFF proposed to ISL clubs?

The AIFF has told ISL clubs it is keen to join hands with them to jointly organize the top-tier league this season, seeking a mutually agreeable solution that can be discussed at the December 20 Annual General Meeting.

### Why is the ISL 2025-26 season on hold?

The season is stalled due to the expiration of the Marketing Rights Agreement between AIFF and FSDL on December 8, 2025, combined with a failed tender process that received zero bids for a new commercial partner.

### What is the club consortium proposal?

ISL clubs have proposed forming a collective consortium to own and operate the league as majority owners alongside the AIFF and aligned commercial, broadcast, and private investors if no commercial partner is found.

### When will the AIFF decide on joint organization?

The AIFF plans to discuss the joint organization proposal at its Executive Committee meeting and Annual General Meeting scheduled for December 20, 2025, where it will require approval.

### What are the main obstacles to joint organization?

Constitutional restrictions in AIFF’s articles (1.21, 1.54, and 63) limit commercial operations and need amendments before clubs can effectively attract sponsors and investors for joint organization of the league.