Citing the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic, as well as the fact that the season will be played behind closed doors in one state, the Indian Super League (ISL) teams have requested the organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), to reduce the franchise fee this season.

If the FSDL agrees, the move could considerably reduce the losses suffered by the franchises.

At present, most of the teams lose approximately Rs 30 crore every season.

The only major source of income for them is the revenue from the central pool, which is around Rs 13 crore each, but that is almost evened out by the franchise fee they pay each year. The fee has not been disclosed publicly but it ranges between Rs 13-16 crore per team.

A decision on the issue is likely to be made in August, when the ISL will announce the venue as well as finalise the fixtures for the seventh season.