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Supreme Court to hear pleas on the postponed Indian Super League, ending the deadlock and providing a start date for the league.
ISL will be held this season, Kalyan Chaubey has reassured (Picture credit: ISL)
The Supreme Court is all set to hear pleas on the status of the postponed Indian Super League on Friday, according to a report in Mint, which can bring the deadlock between the concerned parties to an end and provide the Indian football fans with a date as to when the league will start.
The case revolves around the Master Rights Agreement between the All India Football Federation and Football Sports Development Limited, which has remained on hold since April after a directive from the apex court.
The Indian Super League clubs and the federation approached the SC, citing delays in the 2025-26 season, frozen footballer contracts and operational disruptions because of the stalled Master Rights Agreement.
The matter will be heard on August 22 by a bench led by Justice PS Narasimha, after being mentioned by amicus curiae, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan on Monday, according to the report.
The MRA, signed in 2010, granted Football Sports Development Limited exclusive commercial rights to operate and market the Indian Super League for 15 years. This included sponsorships, broadcasting and league management, while ensuring the federation an annual fee of $5.1 million.
The Football Sports Development Limited, a subsidiary of the Reliance-backed IMG-Reliance, was incorporated in 2010 to operate and develop Indian football.
The agreement is all set to expire on December 8, but its renewal has been stalled as the Supreme Court weighs the federation’s constitutional validity.
In April, the Supreme Court barred the federation from signing fresh commercial contracts, plunging the upcoming season into uncertainty.
While the agreement helped transform the Indian Super League into India’s flagship football competition, extending from eight clubs in 2013 to 14 today, the deadlock has created major issues.
Multiple clubs have halted operations, broadcasters remain in limbo and footballers’ contracts are frozen. Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC and Odisha FC are among those compelled to suspend salaries.
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