Several ISL players, club staff out of contract amid season's uncertainty

Bengaluru: Uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season continues to cast a long, dark shadow over the Indian football, with more than 150 players and several staff members of several clubs currently out of contract.

The situation stems largely from the lack of clarity over the league’s commercial future, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) yet to finalise a new rights partner with most of the clubs not in favour of the current highest bidder. 

While the clubs have offered an alternative plan of them holding the commercial rights, the federation has maintained silence except for a tentative schedule to begin the ISL in September. The subsequent delay has left clubs in a state of limbo, unable to plan for the next campaign or commit to renewals.

Across the league, including in top clubs like Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giants, most of the foreign players from last season have seen their contracts expire while several Indian internationals also find themselves without deals. The uncertainty extends beyond the pitch, with coaching and support staff similarly affected.

Sources indicate that the majority of the clubs have informally advised out-of-contract personnel to explore opportunities elsewhere rather than wait indefinitely over the absence of a concrete roadmap. In many cases, negotiations have been deliberately put on hold until there is clarity on the structure, timelines, and financial viability of the next season.

At the heart of the deadlock lies AIFF’s pending decision on commercial rights as the federation had received a long-term proposal from Genius Sports, which is worth around Rs 2,129 crore over a 15 to 20-year cycle.

However, the deal has not been approved, with several clubs expressing reservations over the revenue-sharing model and the long-term economic viability of the arrangement in a strong-worded statement.

Instead, clubs have put forward an alternative and now renewed short-term solution, proposing to collectively operate the league for the next two seasons while guaranteeing a fixed annual payment of Rs 15 crore to the AIFF.

The approach has resulted in a stalemate with the AIFF yet to formally respond to the clubs’ latest offer. As per the General Body Meeting last month, president Kalyan Chaubey-led Executive Committee is expected to review the competing proposals but no clear timeline has been communicated.

The warning signs of a financial squeeze had been visible for months. Following the departure of the previous long-term commercial partner in 2025, clubs initiated cost-cutting measures, including pay reductions and downsizing. For the upcoming season, players and staff have also been braced for the possibility of further salary adjustments, even if the league resumes and especially if it's another truncated season.