AIFF adopts National Sports Governance Act but delays decision on ISL commercial partner

The All India Football Federation approved adoption of the National Sports Governance Act at a Special General Body Meeting in Kolkata on May 23, but it did not decide who will control the Indian Super League’s next commercial cycle. The federation instead handed its Executive Committee authority to continue discussions on the Master Rights Agreement, the framework that will determine how the league’s commercial rights are packaged and sold. The split decision resolved one governance issue while leaving the league’s operating model unsettled ahead of the 2026-27 season. Clubs had already warned the federation that the lack of structural and commercial clarity was making it harder to justify ongoing financial and operational commitments. ### Why did the AIFF pass the governance act but not settle the ISL rights question? The May 23 meeting dealt with two separate issues: aligning the federation’s rules with the National Sports Governance Act 2025 and deciding the ISL’s next commercial partner. The first passed unanimously, according to the AIFF statement carried by PTI, while the second was deferred for more talks. (sportstar.thehindu.com) Subrata Dutta, chairman of the Indian Football Association in West Bengal, said the AIFF constitution will now be redrafted to match the new law because the Supreme Court had said the earlier submitted constitution would cease to apply once the act was implemented. Dutta told PTI the revised constitution was expected to be finalized by June 30. (sportstar.thehindu.com) ### What exactly is being delayed on the ISL side? The unresolved item is the Master Rights Agreement, or MRA, covering the commercial rights linked to the ISL and related properties. The AIFF said it had received bids from two entities and that the general body had unanimously empowered the Executive Committee to discuss and deliberate on those negotiations. Dutta said the final decision would still have to come back to the general body. (sportstar.thehindu.com) The Supreme Court had already directed the AIFF in September 2025 to issue tenders through an open and competitive process for a new commercial partner after the previous arrangement with Football Sports Development Limited ended. That order came after uncertainty around the old contract disrupted salaries and pre-season planning for clubs. (sportstar.thehindu.com) ### Who bid for the rights, and why is Genius Sports central to the dispute? March 28 bid-opening details showed two contenders for the combined commercial rights of the ISL and Federation Cup: Genius Sports and FanCode. CNBC-TV18, citing PTI and the AIFF statement, reported that Genius Sports bid Rs 2,129 crore over 20 years, while FanCode’s bid was about Rs 1,190 crore. The tender structure was for 15 years with a possible five-year extension and a 5% annual increase in value. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Sportstar, also citing PTI, reported that Genius Sports emerged as the highest bidder and offered Rs 2,129 crore for the next 15+5 years starting from the 2026-27 season. That made the company the focal point of the current debate, but not the automatic winner. ### What are the clubs objecting to? (cnbctv18.com) Five ISL clubs — Kerala Blasters, Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, Inter Kashi and Sporting Club Delhi — said on May 22 that they were reviewing the extent of their commitment beyond the current season because of continued uncertainty around professional football in India. In a joint statement reported by India TV, the clubs cited the absence of structural clarity, commercial clarity and long-term visibility. (sportstar.thehindu.com) The same report said the deadlock had already contributed to a shortened 2025-26 campaign of 13 matches that began only in February. Sportstar reported that clubs want to retain 90% of the league’s economic interest, leaving AIFF with the remaining share, and want Genius Sports limited to a data and technology role rather than the broader commercial position contemplated in the tender. (indiatvnews.com) ### Why does this matter for the next season’s planning? The September 2025 Supreme Court order linked the commercial deadlock directly to operating disruption, noting that player salaries had been affected and pre-season work had stalled at some clubs. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said at the time that clubs had been hesitant to start preparations because of the uncertainty. (indiatvnews.com) The next formal milestones are now split. Dutta said the AIFF expects a revised constitution by June 30, while the Executive Committee has been authorized to continue MRA negotiations before the matter returns to the general body for a final decision on the ISL commercial partner. (sportstar.thehindu.com) (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)