Even though the organisers did not mention any reason behind the pull out but it is believed that the decision was a fall out of organisers of ISL, IMG-Reliance's refusal to allow a partnership between the Chennai-based Sun Group and JSW Group-owned Bengaluru FC.
"The Sun Group will be opting out of the Indian Super League football tournament," Sun Group and IMG Reliance-Star India said in a joint statement.
"IMG-Reliance and Star India wish to assure that all the 14 Indian players drafted earlier for Bengaluru franchise will have their representation in Hero ISL," the statement said.
ISL is scheduled to run from early October to December and will feature eight franchises.