India, July 8 -- A new defining era has begun in Indian domestic football. In a major breakthrough, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Super League (ISL) franchises have resolved their administrative impasse, announcing a four-year, club-led commercial plan to run the country's top-tier league.

The breakthrough comes after intense mediation by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Until now, the domestic system was in serious gridlock after the expiry of the 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with former commercial partners. The federation initially considered a broad long-term external offer from London-based Genius Sports but the ISL franchises fought back with a collective self-governing offer. Now the body ...