ISL fails to attract any bids, plunging Indian Football into crisis
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) plunged into unprecedented uncertainty after its tender for the Indian Super League (ISL) ended without attracting a single bid. Once hailed as the cornerstone of football’s growth in India, the ISL’s inability to find an investor has exposed severe structural and financial vulnerabilities across the sport’s ecosystem.
The AIFF’s attempt to secure a new partner for broadcasting, sponsorship, and merchandising rights began with optimism in October. Four parties signalled interest and participated in the pre-bid meeting, pressing the federation for clarity on revenue and operations. However, the initial excitement fizzled out as the deadline approached, leaving the tender box empty. Key concerns among potential bidders included the financial structure of the league, vague revenue-sharing proposals, and fears over long-term planning and club income streams.
Central to the problem was the federation’s demand: a minimum annual payment of Rs 37.5 crore or 5 percent of gross revenue for 15 years, combined with operational responsibilities from league production to grassroots development. Experts described these terms as untenable for a league still struggling to stabilize viewership and commercial returns. The result is a vacuum in leadership and funding for Indian football at a critical juncture, just after the men’s national team failed to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup.
With no commercial partner or stable financial plan, the ISL’s future, India’s broader football ambitions now hangs in the balance. Grassroots programmes, national teams, and league administration face immediate disruption. Trust between the AIFF and its stakeholders continues to erode, fueled further by last minute governance controversies, including a Supreme Court petition against the bid committee’s leadership. The failed tender signals challenges much larger than one league, raising urgent questions about the direction and credibility of Indian football’s administrators.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
