NEW DELHI: 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’s Churchill Brothers Sports Club Private Limited for a nominal consideration of Rs 100.The transaction, approved by TATA Steel’s Committee of Directors on Friday, involves the transfer of all 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 outlining the terms of the deal.The sale is subject to customary conditions and approvals, including clearance from the governing body All India Football Federation (AIFF), and is expected to be completed by August 31.As part of the transaction, 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 Jamshedpur FC’s 12 players and two coaches from September 2026, allowing them to continue their professional careers in the ISL.The move brings an end to TATA Steel’s direct ownership of Jamshedpur FC, which has been a prominent part of the company’s sporting ecosystem in Jharkhand.TATA Steel, however, 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.Churchill Brothers, one of the established names in Indian football, has been based in Goa for nearly four decades and has won two I-League titles.The divestment also marks a shift in TATA Steel’s approach to football, with the company retaining its long-term commitment to player development. The TATA Football Academy, established in Jamshedpur in 1987, has trained more than 300 cadets, with around 150 going on to represent the Indian national team.AIFF had given Jamshedpur FC time until August 12 to reconsider their decision to cease first-team operations.Co-incidentally, Churchill Brothers were earlier relegated to the third tier (I-League 2) by the AIFF. This relegation followed a prolonged legal and administrative fallout regarding a lost I-League title dispute and subsequent failure to participate in the Indian Football League (IFL) season.
