New Indian Football League Eyes Premier League Model

The previous 15-year Master Rights Agreement between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), concluded in December 2025, prompting a complete overhaul of the league's commercial framework. This reset forced a new tender process for a commercial partner to manage India's top-tier league, with FSDL waiving its 'Right to Match' the winning bid to ensure a transparent process. A major change is the elimination of the ₹12 to ₹16 crore annual franchise fees that ISL clubs previously paid. The new structure moves to a revenue-sharing model where founding clubs will contribute 10% of their revenue (excluding central grants) to the commercial partner, while newer, promoted clubs will contribute 20% for their first 10 seasons. To cushion the financial shock of relegation, the new framework introduces "parachute payments" for teams demoted from the ISL. This concept, borrowed directly from the English Football League, provides relegated clubs with funds to help them adapt to the significantly lower revenues of the second division, thereby promoting stability and a pathway back to the top flight. This restructuring solidifies the transition from a closed, franchise-based league to an open pyramid system. Mandated by a new AIFF constitution approved by the Supreme Court, the model fully integrates promotion and relegation, with the champions of the second-tier Indian Football League (formerly I-League) earning a spot in the ISL. The new constitution also redefines the power structure, establishing the AIFF as the sole owner and operator of the top division league. This marks a significant departure from the previous model where FSDL, a subsidiary of Reliance, held extensive operational and commercial control over the ISL