The Indian Super League (ISL) has appointed Karan Yadav as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as India’s premier football league enters a new chapter under its club-led model.
The appointment, announced on September 21, 2026, places Yadav at the helm of the League Office, where he will lead the strategic, commercial and organisational direction of the Indian Super League.
With close to two decades of experience across sports, media, marketing, commercial strategy and operations, Karan Yadav brings extensive sports-business experience along with strong roots in football.
Karan Yadav Appointed Indian Super League CEO
Karan Yadav becomes the first CEO of the ISL under its new club-led League Office structure. He will work closely with the participating clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as the league develops its new operating model.
His responsibilities will include shaping the overall strategy and commercial direction of the ISL, strengthening relationships with clubs, broadcasters, sponsors and other stakeholders, and building a League Office capable of supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of the competition.
| ISL CEO Appointment | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Karan Yadav |
| Position | Chief Executive Officer |
| Organisation | Indian Super League |
| Appointment Announced | September 21, 2026 |
| Previous Role | Chief Commercial Officer, JSW Sports |
| Earlier Experience | Wavemaker, ACKO, TheHardTackle.com |
| Key Areas | Sports, Media, Marketing, Commercial Strategy and Operations |
| League Structure | Club-led Model |
| Key Responsibilities | Strategy, Commercial Growth, Broadcast, Partnerships and League Operations |
Karan Yadav’s Journey in Football
Yadav’s career in sport began with football in 2010, when he co-founded TheHardTackle.com, a digital football publication.
As Editor-in-Chief, he built and led a global team of more than 50 writers and 10 editors. His career subsequently expanded across commercial strategy, sales and marketing, sports rights management, athlete management and operations.
His experience combines an early connection with football publishing with leadership roles on the commercial side of professional sport.
Experience at Wavemaker, ACKO and JSW Sports
Karan Yadav previously led the sports and content practice at Wavemaker (WPP) and later headed sports sponsorships and activations at ACKO.
Most recently, he served as Chief Commercial Officer at JSW Sports, where he led a ₹300-plus crore P&L covering sports franchises, talent management and brand consulting.
During his tenure at JSW Sports, Yadav also worked on the commercial strategy for Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra.
He managed JSW’s kitting partnership with Team India at the 2024 Paris Olympics and played a key role in launching the Neeraj Chopra Classic in 2025.
Role of Karan Yadav as ISL CEO
As CEO, Yadav will lead the ISL League Office while working closely with the clubs and AIFF.
His mandate includes strengthening the league’s commercial and broadcast proposition, developing relationships with sponsors and other partners, increasing fan engagement and creating an organisational structure that supports sustainable growth for the participating clubs.
The club-led model also provides greater scope for coordination between the League Office and clubs across commercial strategy, partnerships, broadcast, fan engagement and competition development.
Yadav will work with the clubs to develop a cohesive strategy and strengthen the position of the Indian Super League within the wider Indian football ecosystem.
Karan Yadav on the New ISL Chapter
Speaking about his appointment, Karan Yadav described the transition as an important new chapter for the Indian Super League.
He said the club-led model provides a strong foundation for the League Office, clubs and the ISL Managing Committee to work towards shared ambitions for the competition and Indian football.
The priorities include building a strong League Office, strengthening the commercial and broadcast proposition, developing a deeper connection with fans and creating an environment where clubs can grow sustainably.
A Return to Football for Karan Yadav
The ISL appointment also brings Yadav’s professional journey in football full circle.
He began by building a football publication as a fan, writer and editor before moving into the commercial and operational sides of professional sport. He now returns to football in a leadership position at the centre of the Indian Super League.
His appointment comes as the ISL strengthens its organisational structure and moves into its new club-led era.
About the Indian Super League
The Indian Super League is India’s top-tier professional football league, providing a national platform that brings together professional clubs, players, coaches, supporters, broadcasters and commercial partners.
The ISL features 13 clubs — Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers FC, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi.
Under the club-led commercial model, participating clubs hold the commercial rights, administrative control and oversight of key operational aspects of the competition.
With Karan Yadav taking charge as CEO, the Indian Super League begins a new leadership phase focused on commercial development, closer collaboration with clubs and the long-term growth of the competition.
