New Delhi, Aug 14: Tata Steel has approved the sale of its entire stake in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited (JFSPL), the company that owns Indian Super League (ISL) club Jamshedpur FC, to Goa-based Churchill Brothers Sports Club Private Limited for a nominal consideration of ₹100.
The transaction, approved by Tata Steel’s Committee of Directors, involves the transfer of around 4.08 crore equity shares held by the steel major in its wholly owned football subsidiary. Tata Steel and Churchill Brothers have also signed a Share Purchase Agreement for the deal.
The transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals, including clearance from the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and is expected to be completed by August 31, 2026.
As part of the deal, Jamshedpur FC’s ISL sporting licence will be transferred to Churchill Brothers in accordance with AIFF regulations. The Goa-based club will also take over the contracts of 12 players and two coaches from September 2026.
The transaction marks the end of Tata Steel’s direct ownership of Jamshedpur FC, which has been a prominent part of the company’s sporting ecosystem in Jharkhand.
The move follows Tata Steel’s decision that Jamshedpur FC would not participate in the 2026-27 ISL season. The AIFF had reportedly given the club until August 12 to reconsider its decision to cease first-team operations.
Despite its exit from professional club ownership, Tata Steel said it would continue its long-term commitment to football development.
The company said it would “continue to focus on football at the grassroots and youth levels”, particularly on identifying and nurturing talent from local and tribal communities.
Tata Steel also plans to maintain and repurpose its sporting infrastructure for grassroots development and modernise its youth football system.
The company’s Tata Football Academy, established in Jamshedpur in 1987, has trained more than 300 cadets, with around 150 going on to represent India, highlighting Tata Steel’s longstanding contribution to Indian football.
Churchill Brothers, one of the established names in Indian football, has been based in Goa for nearly four decades and has won the I-League twice. The club will now take over Jamshedpur FC’s ISL sporting rights and player and coaching contracts, subject to the required approvals.
The development comes amid broader questions over the commercial viability and financial structure of the ISL, which has witnessed ownership changes and restructuring in recent years.
With the transaction, Tata Steel is stepping away from the top-tier professional football club model while retaining its focus on developing young footballers and nurturing talent in Jharkhand, particularly from local and tribal communities.
