Kolkata, Jan. 8 -- A coach working without salary for 10 months. Players taking up short contracts in state leagues. India internationals in office league matches. Careers interrupted. This was their story over the past few months. Making 2025-26 a season like no other is clubs shaving wages. Hope and despair are in lockstep in the Indian league season greenlit for a February start. One day after it was announced that ISL will start on February 14, Bengaluru FC spoke about the need for players to share the burden of losses. "Truly hope the players. agree to also sacrifice as we are all in this together," Bengaluru FC owner Parth Jindal posted on X. The club did not confirm if talks have been initiated with players. Super Cup champions FC Goa did and it has not begun well. "We engaged with our players transparently, and in good faith, to explain why discussions around pay rationalisation have become necessary," club CEO Ravi Puskur told HT. "Unfortunately, we have not received the level of support that would allow us to move forward with confidence." Part of the original 8 in ISL, FC Goa didn't have to pay franchisee fee after the 10th season. An official at another ISL team said clubs received approx Rs.13 crore from the central revenue pool in 2024-25. "Add to that another Rs.5-6 crore from sponsorship. That helped offset losses. In the absence of both, some clubs are looking at a deficit of Rs.18-19 crore," the club official said. Over and above wages, travel and hosting matches, clubs will have to pay Rs.2 crore more as operational cost and participation fee. Yet, barring Odisha, all 13 ISL clubs have confirmed participation. Yes, they are also looking at pruning costs with some exploring whether sharing venues could be an option. At least 7 clubs gave stopped first-team operations to reduce expenses. One suspended salaries till December with the promise that full wages would be paid between January and May. Another has got players and staff to take a pay cut of 1-2 months, depending on the pay, which will be spread over 6 months. None of this matters to the former India player who is an assistant coach at a club. "I have not been paid for nearly 10 months and it has been a really difficult time for my family," he said requesting anonymity. So does Pritam Kotal. The India defender has been at home since Chennayin FC's Super Cup campaign ended in October. Kotal said he trains at an academy he has helped set up and with his personal trainer. He has also played for his central government employers in 70-minute games on pock-marked pitches "to stay in touch". Kotal used the break to get a coaching badge, Sunil Chhetri improved his pickleball skills and Real Kashmir coach Ishfaq Ahmed is working with juniors....