Players Must Make Sacrifices for ISL Clubs’ Survival: Parth Jindal
Bengaluru FC owner Parth Jindal on Wednesday urged players to “make sacrifices” to help Indian Super League (ISL) clubs survive the ongoing financial uncertainty, warning that without collective support some franchises could be forced to shut down operations permanently.

Jindal said the delayed start of the 2025–26 ISL season and the absence of a commercial partner have placed an unprecedented financial burden on clubs. He stressed that owners alone cannot shoulder the rising costs and that players’ cooperation is crucial to ensure the league’s continuity.

“The financial strain on clubs is massive. If players don’t come forward and support the system during this difficult phase, some clubs may have no option but to shut shop for good,” Jindal said, underlining the gravity of the situation.

The crisis follows the end of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and ISL organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on December 8 last year. AIFF’s efforts to rope in a new commercial partner have so far failed to attract any bidders, leaving the league without a central revenue stream.

Although Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Tuesday that the delayed and truncated 2025–26 ISL season will begin on February 14 with all 14 clubs participating, franchise owners remain concerned about long-term sustainability if a commercial deal is not finalised soon.

Club officials say the lack of broadcast and sponsorship revenues has disrupted financial planning, affecting player salaries, operations, and grassroots development programmes. Industry observers warn that prolonged uncertainty could derail the progress Indian football has made over the past decade.

With the season set to kick off next month, stakeholders are hoping for an urgent resolution to the commercial impasse, even as owners like Jindal call for unity and compromise to keep India’s premier football league afloat.