Indian football is once again caught between hope and heartbreak for a nation that beats to the sound of cricket bats in its stadiums yet hums football chants in its lanes. Launched on October 16, the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) most recent tender for the Indian Super League (ISL) concluded in striking quiet. There was not a single bid.
Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant made a shocking announcement as the country's top league descended further into uncertainty: they suspended all first-team operations until clarity returned. East Bengal, their long-time adversaries, are still going about their daily business around the city, but with wary optimism.
However, East Bengal's senior official Debabrata Sarkar made an intriguing plea in Kolkata's football crucible, where feelings and knowledge frequently collide:

Sarkar didn't hold back when speaking to PTI. He declared, "Indian football cannot end like this." It would have a significant impact if the BCCI supported the sport for at least four to five years. Rs 100–150 crore is not a significant sum to them. Indian football may advance more effectively if they accept accountability.
This kind of appeal may sound sentimental, even desperate, but it represents an increasing reality: Indian football's flashy experiment may finally be coming to an end.

Beneath the glitter are cracks
The ISL promised revolution when it was introduced in 2014. It had the swagger to compete with cricket's IPL, complete with Bollywood owners, worldwide celebrities, cheer squads, and fireworks. But as time went on, it became evident that football cannot thrive on glitter alone.Clubs were having difficulties behind the showbiz. The majority kept losing money year after year. Only on paper did youth academies exist. There were few long-term development plans, and investors and enthusiasm were depleted by the pursuit of immediate success.
The outcome? No new ISL bidders entered when the AIFF opened its doors. The financial model was no longer viable. Teams were stuck in a franchise structure that was meant to be entertaining rather than long-lasting.
When cricket demonstrates how to
This is where the topic of cricket invariably comes up. Despite its controversies, the BCCI has mastered the knack of making sport a self-sustaining environment.A strong pyramid that maintains the financial stability of every level, from Ranji cricket to the Indian Premier League, has been established through centralised media agreements, open revenue sharing, and steady funding from grassroots to the IPL.
Because every team is aware of what to expect, the IPL in particular flourishes. A single, strong commercial vision helps the entire ecosystem, media rights are protected for years, and revenue flows consistently.
In contrast, football teams depend on private funding, sporadic sponsorships, and ambiguous commitments. There is no single funding source, no assurance of profits, simply a never-ending battle to survive.

Is it really possible for BCCI to intervene?
Even if Sarkar's idea seems appealing, it is still quite improbable that the BCCI will take over as football's sponsor. There is virtually no administrative overlap between the two bodies, and they have distinct mandates and agendas. Even if another sport is in dire need of funding, cricket's governing body is not legally required to provide it.

However, football can benefit from cricket's structure, which is more practical. The AIFF may research how the BCCI transformed its domestic establishment into a financial powerhouse rather than waiting for a rescue.

In other words:
revenue sharing and pooling as opposed to splitting it up.
ensuring clubs have financial safety nets to promote long-term investment.
constructing an open media rights model that is advantageous to all.
rewarding community investment rather than just high-profile acquisitions.

Indian football could start to regain its equilibrium if AIFF can implement even a handful of these ideas. This would be a domestic resurgence rather than a borrowed concept.
A wake-up call or a crisis?
The ISL's problem is about priorities rather than merely empty pockets. Before establishing a grassroots foundation, the league pursued glitz. It prioritised television negotiations over local allegiance. Indian football is currently at a unique crossroads as the gaps get wider.
The BCCI cannot save cricket. However, it can be guided by its blueprint.
Indian football needs clarity, not the BCCI's tick. Fans, enthusiasm, and untapped skill are all present in this sport. It only requires a strategy that prioritises clubs over franchises and patience over profit.

Because Indian football needs to start demanding reform rather than rescue if it hopes to stand tall once more.