Why the Man Who Created IPL Says Indian Football ‘Will Not Happen’

Lalit Modi, former BCCI administrator and current political exile, recently made strong remarks about Indian football. Reflecting on his long-standing interest in the sport, he called it a “complete failure” but added that he had once aspired to contribute to its growth. Modi, who transformed the BCCI’s fortunes by introducing the IPL, noticed the absence of something similar in other sports but faced significant restrictions in his attempts to expand.

Political and Bureaucratic Restrictions Shackled Modi’s Vision

Modi, who has been in exile for 10 years and is now a permanent resident of St. Kitts and Nevis, believes Indian football could grow if it properly implements the IPL model. He stated, “We were going to do what I did with cricket. I was going to do it with football. Again, there also, you needed international players. You don’t want retired players. The problem is who can bring out the qualities of a player.”

However, bureaucratic obstacles, political interference, short-term vision, and deep-rooted corruption stood firmly in his way. He criticized Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, who headed football at the time, claiming that while Dasmunshi wanted to launch a football league and had signed an agreement with Japan’s J-League, political forces created barriers. “It got stuck again with politicians. Everybody wants a kickback. Everybody is saying, I will not allow you to do it.”

Even recently, at the Calcutta Sports Journalist Club, Baichung Bhutia condemned ongoing issues under current president Kalyan Chaubey, stating that Chaubey is only seeking fame. Politicians continue to shackle change and perpetuate existing problems. While Dasmunshi did introduce the National Football League, which later transformed into the I-League, it wasn’t enough. Even in the first division, most teams came from Bengal and the North-East region, failing to achieve pan-India success.

The IPL Formula Proved Inadequate

When the Indian Super League launched in 2014 under FSDL, it was a pale imitation of the IPL, though it did manage to attract significant viewership and investment—something the I-League had long struggled to achieve. However, it followed more of a franchise model than a traditional club-based structure.

Initially, league action was allocated for only two months. But football operates differently from the franchise model. When the IPL launched, all franchises started on equal footing with the same birth year, financial rules, and regulatory framework. In football, however, there are clubs with rich heritage, financial backgrounds, and academies, making it unjustified to bind them with uniform regulations. Many clubs have existed for 75 to 100 years. Additionally, football clubs depend on the global market rather than auction tables to sign players.

Modi later acknowledged this fundamental difference: “That’s an inherent problem. With football worldwide, it’s a different model, and to change that model is impossible.”

Players Lack Global Appeal

While praising the heritage of Bengal, Goa, and the North-Eastern region, Modi believes India has no shortage of talent but lacks players who can achieve global recognition. “Again, the heritage comes into play because India does have a heritage. But unfortunately, we have not been able to have players who are global enough. It’s putting the cart before the horse.”

Summarizing his interview, Modi focused on problems rooted in Indian football’s foundation and admitted that, in his view, “football will not happen in India.” Blaming poor infrastructure, he predicted a bleak future for the sport, adding, “The next best thing you would find is probably Kabaddi.”

During his administrative days, Modi had proposals and dreams for multiple sports. However, many policies still only apply to sports popular in limited countries. When it comes to football, the franchise model isn’t easily replicable. While the ISL attracted sizeable audiences, added glamour, and brought money to the table, the nation doesn’t even know whether the league will survive. Clubs today are hesitant to sign players, and the league’s future depends heavily on sponsorships and broadcasters.