SPORTS MINISTER Mansukh Mandaviya has asked the AIFF and ISL clubs to form a task force to develop a structured commercial plan for at least the next two seasons of the Indian Super League. The meeting, described as cordial, saw the minister urge both parties to arrive at an “amicable business model,” a report in newswire PTI said.
The clubs and AIFF are currently at odds over the league’s commercial model. The clubs have proposed a two-year club-led pilot model for 2026-27 and 2027-28, under which they would acquire ISL commercial rights for Rs 15 crore per year payable to AIFF.
Earlier this year, AIFF had floated tenders for long-term ISL commercial rights, with London-based Genius Sports emerging as the highest bidder at Rs 2,129 crore annually for a 15+5 year deal, including a 5% annual increase. Under that model, AIFF would have received Rs 12.4 crore in the first year. AIFF also proposed charging clubs an entry fee, which has been rejected by the clubs. A final decision on the commercial partner was deferred to the AIFF Executive Committee at its Special General Body Meeting in Kolkata last month.
Mandaviya previously intervened to salvage the truncated 2025-26 season after FSDL’s exit as commercial partner in December. The ISL is tentatively scheduled to run from September 1 to April 11 for the 2026-27 season.
