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In July 2025, Football Sports Development LTD (FSDL), the marketing ally of All India Football Federation (AIFF), shocked Indian football supporters when it decided to waive its contractual Right of First Negotiation and Right to Match under the 15-year master rights contract which will expire in the upcoming months. FSDL’s decision caused uproar among India’s massive figures and supporters and they got concerned regarding the future of Indian football. Following this development, the Reliance subsidiary held talks with the AIFF over a new agreement. On August 22, the Supreme Court instructed FSDL and AIFF to hold discussions and find a way to solve the conundrum before August 28.
Both entities held their discussion in Bengaluru on August 25 and drew a plan to resolve the deadlock. In a joint statement issued by AIFF and FSDL, announced the resolutions "unanimously agreed to and jointly recorded." FSDL has also agreed to relinquish its contractual right of first negotiation and right to match under the Master Rights Agreement, which dates back to December 8, 2010.
ISL likely to return in December 2025
In the joint statement, both parties also agreed to conduct the Super Cup in September as per its schedule. “To ensure the timely commencement of the football calendar and to maintain competitive continuity, it has been agreed that the 2025-26 season may begin with the Super Cup or another domestic competition, directly under AIFF’s control after an adequate pre-season period,” read the statement.
The much-awaited Indian Super League (ISL) might also return with its 12th season in December. The proposal also reads, “The AIFF has agreed that it would conduct an open, competitive and transparent tender (or equivalent process) for selection of a commercial partner to conduct the ISL in line with the best global practices.”
