Bengaluru FC Players Make Financial Sacrifice for Upcoming ISL Campaign
In a significant development for Indian football, Bengaluru FC players have collectively agreed to accept pay cuts for the upcoming truncated Indian Super League season. The decision, which involves key players including Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri, comes as the club navigates financial challenges facing the sport.
Open Discussions Lead to Collective Agreement
Club owner Parth Jindal revealed that the management held transparent discussions with first-team players about the current situation in Indian football. The delayed ISL season, set to restart on February 14 after a four-month pause, has created financial pressures that necessitated difficult decisions.
"Everyone is well aware of the challenging phase Indian Football is going through," Jindal stated on social media platform X. "For me, as BFC team owner and someone who is deeply passionate about the sport and the club, this has been one of the toughest periods ever."
Jindal expressed particular gratitude toward the players who agreed to reduce their remuneration during this critical phase, describing it as "one of the toughest decisions we have had to make as a club."
Financial Realities Force Difficult Choices
The Bengaluru FC owner had previously warned about the financial burden franchises would face to participate in the delayed league. In earlier statements, Jindal had suggested that without player support, the club might have been forced to "shut shop for good," highlighting the severity of the situation.
The Bengaluru squad includes not only former India captain Sunil Chhetri but also star goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, both of whom have agreed to the revised financial terms. The club has also appointed former India international Renedy Singh as first-team head coach for the upcoming campaign.
Precedent Set by Other Clubs
This move follows a similar decision by FC Goa last month, where players including India captain Sandesh Jhingan accepted pay cuts for the shortened season. FC Goa described the gesture as "selfless" and expressed being "deeply humbled by this gesture and immensely grateful for the unity, character, and commitment shown by the group." Their roster also features India players Udanta Singh and Boris Singh.
ISL Season Structure and Financial Arrangements
The ISL 2025–26 season faced considerable uncertainty after former organiser FSDL ended its Master Rights Agreement with the All India Football Federation on December 8. Although a tender for a new commercial partner initially drew no bidders, intervention from the sports minister and subsequent negotiations ensured all 14 clubs confirmed their participation.
The truncated season will feature:
- 91 matches played on a home-and-away basis
- Each team contesting 13 games
- Clubs bearing 60% of the league's financial cost
- Estimated total cost of approximately Rs 25 crore
The AIFF has since issued a Request for Proposal for broadcast rights, with bids scheduled to open on February 2. Fixtures for the upcoming season are expected to be announced shortly.
This collective sacrifice by Bengaluru FC players represents a significant moment in Indian football, demonstrating player commitment to the sport's sustainability during challenging financial times. The willingness of established stars like Chhetri to accept reduced compensation sets an important precedent for the broader football community in India.
