Hockey India to Take Strict Action Against Defaulting Franchise Owners of Hockey India League

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Hockey India will take strict action against franchise owners who fail to pay dues to players and coaching staff within the stipulated time during the 2024-2025 edition of the Hockey India League, said Bholanath Singh, secretary general of Hockey India.

The Hockey India League has been revived after a seven-year hiatus and will feature eight men's and six women's teams, as announced on Friday. The league is scheduled to run from December 28 to February 5.

In the previous editions of the Hockey India League, held from 2013 to 2017, several franchise owners faced financial difficulties as the league was not profitable. As a result, many players and coaching staff were left unpaid. “We will ensure such issues do not happen this time,” Bholanath Singh added. “Action will be taken against defaulting franchise owners.”

A key aspect of the agreement between Hockey India and the franchise owners will be the requirement to clear all payments to players and coaching staff before the March 31 deadline. The competition window allocated by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for the league is from December 28 to February 5, for the next five years.

“We've learned from past experiences, where players and coaches suffered due to unpaid dues. This time, we have taken steps to protect them,” a senior member of Hockey India stated.

The league will conclude in the first week of February, giving franchise owners more than six weeks to settle all outstanding payments, according to a Hockey India representative.

In the previous edition, the Hockey India League was spread across six cities—Mohali (Punjab), Delhi, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Ranchi (Jharkhand), Bhubaneswar (Odisha), and Mumbai (Maharashtra). Matches were played on a home-and-away basis, which increased the financial burden on team owners.

To reduce costs this time, matches will be held at two venues—Ranchi and Rourkela.

The business model for the league was not disclosed. The men's franchise owners include:

• Chennai (Charles Group)
• Lucknow (Yadu Sports)
• Punjab (JSW)
• West Bengal (Shranchi Sports)
• Delhi (SG Sports and Entertainment)
• Odisha (Vedanta Limited)
• Hyderabad (Resolute Sports)
• Ranchi (Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited)

In the women's group, the franchise owners include:

• Haryana (JSW Sports)
• West Bengal (Shranchi Sports)
• Delhi (SG Sports and Entertainment)
• Odisha (Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited)

Two additional women's teams will be announced soon.

“After the first edition, we will decide whether to expand the league to other cities,” a senior Hockey India official said.

Dilip Tirkey, president of Hockey India, expressed optimism about the league’s revival, stating that it will provide a valuable platform for promising junior players to showcase their talent. “The Hockey India League will be a breeding ground for scouting future talent,” Tirkey added.