Rs 9 crore for ISL, Rs 100 crore for Kerala: How low has Indian football sunk
India Today
The ISL has its broadcast deal, but the numbers tell a harsher story. Now, valued below regional leagues and nowhere near cricket, Indian football's top tier has fallen from grace.
The Indian Super League has never been perfect, but for years it survived on belief more than balance sheets.
The idea that even when things were messy, the league was still moving forward. That belief took a hit this season, and the new broadcast deal, rather than calming nerves, has quietly confirmed just how far the Indian Super League has slipped.
To start with, yes, the ISL finally has a broadcaster. After months and months of waiting for the league to start, the tournament is finally set to return on February 14. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, when the clubs were left wondering when the season would even begin, the tournament is ready to roll again.
But the numbers attached to this comeback tell a story that should send shivers down the spine of any football lover in India.
Because once you actually dive deep and check where the tournament is being valued at (broadcasting rights), as a football fan, you will be forced to look away.
The Indian Super League, which is supposed to be the top tier football competition in the country, has been outvalued by even the regional leagues in India.
The Iranian women's football team safely returned home from Australia, days after claiming asylum on humanitarian grounds. 5 players withdrew their claim despite earlier fears of persecution amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Pratika Rawal described the Women's World Cup final against South Africa as an emotional whirlwind, saying she didn't even watch the last ball. The right-handed batter missed the final due to an ankle and knee injury.
IPL: Senior Mumbai Indians batter Rohit Sharma will not be used as an impact substitute this season, head coach Mahela Jayawardene said during a media interaction on March 17.
MCC clarified that Salman Agha's run-out in the second ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur was fully valid under the Laws, stating he was clearly out of his crease while the ball remained in play.
Devon Conway's 60 and a fiery pace display from Ben Sears and Lockie Ferguson helped New Zealand crush South Africa by 68 runs, levelling the T20I series after a dramatic collapse.
NZW vs SAW: New Zealand skipper Amelia Kerr became the fastest cricketer from a full-member nation to complete 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in Women's T20Is, reaching the milestone in her 94th match against South Africa.
T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav compares India's 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cup wins, highlighting the shift from experienced composure to youthful intensity and how home pressure shaped the title defence.
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins and RCB pacer Josh Hazlewood are doubtful for the opening games of IPL 2026. Both Australian quicks are still awaiting medical clearance.
IPL 2026: AB de Villiers questions MS Dhoni's role at CSK in IPL 2026, saying the legend must bat higher or risk playing for the wrong reasons as Sanju Samson's arrival reshapes Chennai's lineup.
Ricky Ponting believes the Indian Premier League plays a major role in shaping India's T20 success. The former Australia captain said IPL matches are as intense as international games and help prepare players for the national team.
IPL 2026: Rohit Sharma has already started turning heads ahead of IPL 2026. A viral video from Mumbai Indians' training session showed the former India captain going after the bowlers, raising excitement among fans before the new season.
Iran's football federation is pushing to move its 2026 World Cup matches from the US to Mexico over safety fears, in a controversy drawing comparisons to Bangladesh's T20 World Cup crisis.