Kamal Ghorui
Panaji: India’s top tier football clubs have proposed a club-led model for the future operation and commercialisation of the Indian Super League (ISL), with Genius Sports as the data and technology partner.Clubs are ready to pay the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Rs 12.4 crore for 2026-27 season, the same fee structure presently contemplated under the Genius Sports model as “administrative fees”. The proposal provides 90% of the economic interest in the league structure collectively to the clubs, while the federation retains 10% ownership and governance participation.The proposal has the backing of all clubs, except East Bengal, and is likely to be discussed when AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey meets club owners in Kolkata on Saturday. A day later, a general body meeting has been convened to discuss the proposal by Genius Sports.The London-headquartered data company has bid Rs 64.4 crore annually with 5% increase every year – totalling approx. Rs 2,130 crore across 20 years – for commercial rights of the ISL and Federation Cup. The clubs, however, felt Genius may find it difficult since they do not have “longstanding operational roots in India.”“The clubs’ internal projections indicate that a club-led structure can substantially reduce operating costs while maintaining the quality and integrity of the competition,” Bengaluru FC director of football Darren Caldeira wrote to AIFF, on behalf of the clubs on Wednesday.Under the proposed structure, the clubs would operate the league through an appropriate league operating entity while the AIFF would retain a 10% ownership interest in the league structure.“The clubs would collectively pay the same AIFF fee structure presently contemplated under the Genius model, thereby ensuring that the AIFF does not suffer any guaranteed financial loss under the proposed structure. Further, consistent with the principles presently reflected in the AIFF RFQ structure, AIFF’s 10% entitlement would accrue only after recovery of the league’s operational costs as well as the clubs’ agreed share of league revenues,” the clubs said.Between 2010 and 2025, the AIFF received Rs 50 crore annually from Reliance-owned FSDL, its erstwhile commercial partners, while the Genius proposal allocates 20% of its bid money or approx. Rs 12.4 crore in the first year. The federation hopes to cover the deficit by charging top-tier clubs an entry fee, a proposal that has already been rejected by the participants.“The AIFF cannot partner with clubs (in organising the league) and then take money from us,” said a club CEO. “Of course, we paid a franchise fee to Reliance previously (for participation in ISL) but got an additional Rs 6 crore from central revenue share. If the AIFF can assure us similar revenue from central sponsorships, we will happily pay.”In its proposal, the clubs want Genius to come on board as the league’s dedicated data and technology commercial partner since it has expertise in sports data, technology, integrity solutions and fan engagement.“The long-term sustainability of Indian professional football requires a structure where clubs are meaningfully integrated into the commercial upside of the league. A financially sustainable ecosystem must appropriately align operational responsibility, commercial rights, and economic participation,” said the clubs.
