By Khabar Rojana 
India’s footballers finally have clarity on the return of the domestic season after a nine-month break. The Indian Super League (ISL) is set to begin on February 14. The announcement initially brought relief. However, that feeling quickly turned into concern.
Several clubs have asked players to accept salary cuts of up to 25 percent. The move comes as teams try to reduce costs during a shortened season. The revised format will have 72 fewer matches than last year, which means lower revenue for clubs.
Players have expressed discomfort with the proposal. Many say they were asked to agree without proper discussion. Some players also claim they were told they might not play in the league if they refused the new terms.
Indian men’s football is going through one of its toughest periods in decades. The national team recently failed to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. At the domestic level, uncertainty increased after a long-term commercial rights agreement ended in December 2025. Attempts to secure a new broadcast partner have not succeeded, leaving clubs without a major income source.
After weeks of discussions, all 14 teams agreed to participate in a single-leg home-and-away format following intervention from the Sports Minister. Club officials highlighted rising operational costs, especially player salaries. Wages account for nearly 70 percent of a club’s annual budget. Although the official salary cap is Rs 16.5 crore, many teams spend more to stay competitive.
Without broadcast revenue, clubs are struggling to meet expenses such as franchise fees and daily operations. Players earning over Rs 1 crore a year may face cuts of 20 to 25 percent. Others could see reductions of 10 to 15 percent.
Some clubs even considered cancelling the season to reset finances. The government, however, pushed for the league to continue. Players will be requested, not forced, to accept the cuts. Club owners have urged cooperation, warning that several teams may not survive without shared sacrifice.
Shalu Shalu