Indian Super League's bid void leaves AIFF staring at uncertain future

The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF’s) hunt for a new commercial partner for the Indian Super League (ISL) has ended without a single bid — a development that casts fresh doubts over the financial and structural future of Indian football’s top tier.

 

As the deadline for submission closed on Friday, the federation confirmed that no entity had expressed interest in acquiring the League’s commercial rights. "The deadline for submission of bids in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for awarding the right to monetise the commercial rights for the Indian Super League concluded today. No bids were received within the stipulated timeframe," the AIFF said in a statement.

 

The governing body added that its Bid Evaluation Committee would meet over the weekend “to review the situation and deliberate on the future course of action.” 

 

What are the commercial rights up for bids?

 

The AIFF’s call for bids, issued on October 16, was for a 15-year contract that would have given the winning entity exclusive control over the League’s media and commercial rights. 

 

The terms included a minimum net worth requirement of Rs 250 crore and a guaranteed annual payment of Rs 37.5 crore to the AIFF. Despite these conditions being designed to ensure financial strength and accountability, the absence of interest reflects deep unease within India’s sports business ecosystem over football’s current commercial appeal.

 

The RFP was intended to signal a new beginning after the federation’s decade-long partnership with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) came to an end earlier this year. Launched in 2014 with much fanfare, the ISL was envisioned as India’s answer to the English Premier League — a high-gloss, franchise-driven product meant to revive the country’s footballing ambitions.

 

But ten years on, the sheen appears to have worn off. Viewership has waned, sponsorship revenue has plateaued, and operational costs have surged — all of which have raised questions about the League’s long-term sustainability.

 

Why this matters

 

The absence of bids is more than a procedural hiccup; it is a symbolic setback for Indian football’s aspirations of financial independence. Without a commercial partner, the ISL could struggle to sustain its broadcast quality, club payments, and grassroots commitments. 

 

The RFP had included several reforms aimed at strengthening the League’s sporting and commercial structure.

• A waiver of franchise fees from 2025-26, the introduction of a video support system (leading to VAR)
• The long-awaited implementation of promotion and relegation between the ISL and I-League as directed by the Supreme Court. 

 

However, the silence from potential bidders suggests that the market is unconvinced by the League’s growth trajectory. For a competition that once drew big international names and corporate sponsors, the lack of interest marks a sobering moment.

 

What lies ahead

 

With the tender process yielding no response, the AIFF now faces the task of either revising the terms of the RFP or exploring short-term alternatives to maintain operational continuity. A delayed or restructured tender could push the start of the League’s next commercial cycle further into 2025.

 

Insiders say the federation may need to reconsider its valuation expectations, broaden eligibility norms, or even engage directly with potential partners to gauge interest before relaunching the bidding process.

 

The coming weeks could therefore be critical for the ISL’s survival as a commercially viable competition. The League, which was launched to transform India into a footballing nation, is once again at a crossroads — this time, fighting not just for fans or trophies, but for its financial future.