Overview
- League officials will run the Rudras until a new owner is found and have invited interested buyers to step in.
- UP Rudras informed Hockey India on September 22 that they were pulling out just before the September 24 mini‑auction, citing unclear projections and untenable costs.
- The men’s field is reduced to seven teams unless a replacement emerges, following earlier exits by Team Gonasika and women’s champions Odisha Warriors.
- Hockey India says withdrawals may breach 10‑year franchise deals, and both sanctions and the handling of Rudras players are still being worked out with player interests a priority.
- Organisers are addressing player welfare after reported payment delays last season, including HI settling Odisha Warriors’ dues, as centralised venues and fragile revenues continue to strain teams.