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NZ Herald
24-04-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Black Caps: What does New Zealand Cricket's American investment mean for the future of tests?
The move will allow NZC a vehicle to allow top Kiwi players to ply their trade in the lucrative franchise league, at a time when the national organisation faces a fight to keep its best and brightest centrally contracted. Significantly, the move also gives NZC a pathway for up-and-coming coaches to take part in a franchise T20 setting, and gain experience that could be vital for the national set-up. However, while the move will be beneficial both financially and practically for NZC, given Major League Cricket is valued at more than $200 million, questions will be asked about what makes way. Cricket is already struggling to reach a balance between the international game and the franchise circuit. With the number of franchise competitions increasing, and the number of matches with it, there have been fears for the future of test cricket. In 2019, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced the World Test Championship as a means of keeping the purest format relevant, in two-year cycles culminating in a final to determine a winner. And yet, six years on and approaching the tournament's third decider, it's hard to gauge whether the World Test Championship has yielded the desired results, despite the five-day format being as competitive as it's ever been. Earlier this year, reports revealed discussions between Australia, India and England's respective administrators, exploring the possibility of introducing tiers of test cricket. This week, Wisden – colloquially referred to as cricket's bible – used its annual almanack to criticise the administration of the international game and the World Test Championship as a 'shambles'. Financially, it costs most nations more money to stage a test match than the revenue they earn from doing so. Barring cricket's 'big three' of India, Australia and England, test cricket is largely funded by the financial windfalls of the shortest format. New Zealand is not spared from that. But, Weenink explains, the national organisation's expansion into T20 will allow for test matches to continue to thrive. 'Kiwis still love test cricket first and foremost – as do I,' Weenink told the Herald. 'Test cricket, I think, is actually in a good space. 'The World Test Championship – for all the issues around the format – has actually worked, in terms of generating interest in test cricket. 'We see that test matches in New Zealand are extremely well supported, and they will continue to be. 'I don't think New Zealanders as a whole 'like' T20, but they are slowly beginning to realise how important it is for the cricket ecosystem. 'Without T20, we probably wouldn't have test cricket. It very much supports the other forms of the game. Kiwis probably don't quite get how big and important the T20 game is, but it is absolutely critical to the future of cricket full stop, including test cricket.' Regardless, Black Caps supporters might have to endure a bit of short-term pain for long-term gain as far as tests go. The calendar year of 2025 will see New Zealand play just five tests: two away to Zimbabwe, and three at home to the West Indies in the Kiwi summer. That came after the recent home summer, where three tests against England was all fans had before a diet of white-ball cricket – albeit largely as preparation for the ICC's Champions Trophy in February and March. Weenink, though, promises that test cricket will by no means take a back seat as far as the Black Caps' fixture list goes. Advertise with NZME. 'These schedules are put in place years in advance. The following year, we've got an absolute bumper year of test cricket. 'We have a test against Ireland, three against England in England. We have the West Indies come here for two, Australia for four and Sri Lanka for two. 'There might only be five coming up this year, but the following year we've got a huge amount. 'Test cricket in New Zealand is thriving. Financially, it is still a challenge, and white-ball cricket will continue to subsidise it.' Closer to home, investing in Major League Cricket will also benefit New Zealand's domestic stage. At present, New Zealand is the only major cricketing nation without a franchise league model. Instead, the Super Smash is made up of the six major associations – Auckland, Northern Districts, Wellington, Central Districts, Canterbury and Otago. Advertise with NZME. And while that might mean NZC competes on an uneven playing field in terms of having a leading T20 product, it has allowed one full generation of players to progress into a world-leading Black Caps side, with signs another is on the way. Financially, it would be a huge task to change that without heavy outside investment, most likely in the form of private equity. And while Weenink rules nothing out, including an entry into Australia's Big Bash League, this move will give NZC scope to see what is possible at home, through the financial windfall that could follow. 'This is us dipping our toes in the water and looking to diversify our revenue streams,' Weenink added. 'Nothing is off the cards, including potentially putting a team in the Big Bash, if that came up. 'We see this as complementary. In one sense, it is the chance to have our cake and eat it too. 'We're investing in a domestic franchise, it just happens to not be in New Zealand. The revenue that we're going to earn we're going to invest in cricket here. 'So far, we haven't had to privatise or franchise the Super Smash. The issue with the Super Smash is that we're a small market, our time zones are not friendly to India. 'However, we're still going to look at what we do with the Super Smash. As part of our strategic plan, we need to continue to look at all parts of our business – including the Super Smash – and say is there a better way to run it? 'We'll be continuing to do that, making this investment doesn't stop us doing that.' NZC's move follows similar developments with Australian state sides and Indian teams. The Washington Freedom are backed by Australia's New South Wales Cricket, while the San Francisco Unicorns have the same relationship with Cricket Victoria. Outside of those two teams, Indian Premier League sides Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings own teams. Still, as is the case with any investment, NZC's venture can be seen as a risk. While the US is the largest commercial market, other sporting sides have struggled to break ground outside traditional American sports. In particular, Major League Rugby has seen multiple teams fail financially, including Rugby New York, which had a heavy New Zealand influence. In contrast, though, Major League Soccer has flourished, backed largely by expat communities from South and Central America, and a growing support of local fans. And it's that expat community that NZC will bank on when 2027 rolls around. 'Like any investment, we did full due diligence on who we're investing with, what we're investing in, and what the risks and opportunities were,' Weenink said. 'We looked at other sports, the difference for cricket – we think – are a couple of things. 'There's been the recent World Cup there, there's the 2028 Olympics in LA, which will be a huge springboard for cricket in the USA. 'Thirdly, it's actually already a very lucrative and large cricket market. There's 25 million South Asian diaspora there, who are pretty well-heeled. 'After India, I understand, it's the most lucrative cricket market globally. It may not necessarily ever become a mainstream US sport, but there's a big enough ex-pat population where cricket is part of their fabric to make it a lucrative and compelling market.'
Fox Sports
23-04-2025
- Business
- Fox Sports
New Zealand Cricket to invest in a new franchise in US-based Major League Cricket
Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Cricket will invest in a new team that will join Major League Cricket in the United States from 2027. Chief executive Scott Weenink said Thursday NZC will partner with US-based True North Sports Ventures to form the new franchise, which could be based in Toronto or Atlanta. The partnership is the first of its kind between a full member nation of the ICC and a franchise in a leading professional cricket league, Weenink said. New Zealand will provide financial equity and high-performance and operational support, including coaching, management and support staff to the yet unnamed team. 'It's a reasonable investment but it's fair to say we are still minority investors,' Weenink said. 'Hopefully, we will also see a growth in capital but also dividends which will start to be spun out of that equity investment. 'We still see India as untapped from a New Zealand Cricket perspective so we are putting a significant amount of energy and resource into growing New Zealand Cricket and New Zealand cricket players' brand in India and we see the same in the US. We see America as such a huge market from a sports perspective.' Weenink said NZC sees cricket 'really taking off' in the United States on the back of the T20 Cricket World Cup which the US co-hosted last year, as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'So we really want to tap into and jump on board the huge growth opportunity that Major League Cricket and US offers,' he said. 'As franchise cricket grows globally, NZC needs to adapt to seize strategic opportunities that ensure the sustainability of our cricket network. 'This helps diversify our revenue streams, expands our global brand and fan base and creates new talent development and retention pathways for both our players and coaches.' Several leading New Zealand players already have played in MLC and NZC hopes an association with the US tournament will allow will provide a new pathway for young and senior players. The 2025 MLC season will be played within the space of a month in June with salaries of up to $200,000 being paid to top players. The short duration of the competition makes it particularly lucrative and attractive. ___ AP cricket:
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Zealand Cricket to invest in a new franchise in US-based Major League Cricket
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Cricket will invest in a new team that will join Major League Cricket in the United States from 2027. Chief executive Scott Weenink said Thursday NZC will partner with US-based True North Sports Ventures to form the new franchise, which could be based in Toronto or Atlanta. Advertisement The partnership is the first of its kind between a full member nation of the ICC and a franchise in a leading professional cricket league, Weenink said. New Zealand will provide financial equity and high-performance and operational support, including coaching, management and support staff to the yet unnamed team. 'It's a reasonable investment but it's fair to say we are still minority investors,' Weenink said. 'Hopefully, we will also see a growth in capital but also dividends which will start to be spun out of that equity investment. 'We still see India as untapped from a New Zealand Cricket perspective so we are putting a significant amount of energy and resource into growing New Zealand Cricket and New Zealand cricket players' brand in India and we see the same in the US. We see America as such a huge market from a sports perspective.' Advertisement Weenink said NZC sees cricket 'really taking off' in the United States on the back of the T20 Cricket World Cup which the US co-hosted last year, as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'So we really want to tap into and jump on board the huge growth opportunity that Major League Cricket and US offers,' he said. 'As franchise cricket grows globally, NZC needs to adapt to seize strategic opportunities that ensure the sustainability of our cricket network. 'This helps diversify our revenue streams, expands our global brand and fan base and creates new talent development and retention pathways for both our players and coaches.' Several leading New Zealand players already have played in MLC and NZC hopes an association with the US tournament will allow will provide a new pathway for young and senior players. Advertisement The 2025 MLC season will be played within the space of a month in June with salaries of up to $200,000 being paid to top players. The short duration of the competition makes it particularly lucrative and attractive. ___ AP cricket:
Associated Press
23-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
New Zealand Cricket to invest in a new franchise in US-based Major League Cricket
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Cricket will invest in a new team that will join Major League Cricket in the United States from 2027. Chief executive Scott Weenink said Thursday NZC will partner with US-based True North Sports Ventures to form the new franchise, which could be based in Toronto or Atlanta. The partnership is the first of its kind between a full member nation of the ICC and a franchise in a leading professional cricket league, Weenink said. New Zealand will provide financial equity and high-performance and operational support, including coaching, management and support staff to the yet unnamed team. 'It's a reasonable investment but it's fair to say we are still minority investors,' Weenink said. 'Hopefully, we will also see a growth in capital but also dividends which will start to be spun out of that equity investment. 'We still see India as untapped from a New Zealand Cricket perspective so we are putting a significant amount of energy and resource into growing New Zealand Cricket and New Zealand cricket players' brand in India and we see the same in the US. We see America as such a huge market from a sports perspective.' Weenink said NZC sees cricket 'really taking off' in the United States on the back of the T20 Cricket World Cup which the US co-hosted last year, as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'So we really want to tap into and jump on board the huge growth opportunity that Major League Cricket and US offers,' he said. 'As franchise cricket grows globally, NZC needs to adapt to seize strategic opportunities that ensure the sustainability of our cricket network. 'This helps diversify our revenue streams, expands our global brand and fan base and creates new talent development and retention pathways for both our players and coaches.' Several leading New Zealand players already have played in MLC and NZC hopes an association with the US tournament will allow will provide a new pathway for young and senior players. The 2025 MLC season will be played within the space of a month in June with salaries of up to $200,000 being paid to top players. The short duration of the competition makes it particularly lucrative and attractive. ___ AP cricket:
RNZ News
23-04-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
NZ Cricket takes stakes in new Major League Cricket franchise
Black Caps bowler Matt Henry Photo: PHOTOSPORT New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is taking a stake in Major League Cricket in the United States, partnering with a US company to establish a new team in the competition from 2027. MLC currently features six franchises, with the likes of the Los Angeles Knight Riders and the San Francisco Unicorns owned by Indian Premier League franchises the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Chennai Super Kings respectively. Black Caps Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen and Trent Boult all currently play in the competition, which runs over a four week period in June and July. Rachin Ravindra playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2024 IPL competition. The Chennai Super Kings own the San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC. Photo: Ron Gaunt / Sportzpics for IPL NZ Cricket will partner with US-based company True North Sports Ventures to establish a franchise in possibly Toronto and Atlanta. NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said the deal is a first-of-its-kind agreement between a full member of the ICC and a franchise in a leading professional cricket league and will involve "financial equity" and "sweat equity". "It's a reasonable investment but it's fair to say we are still minority investors." Weenink said NZC will provide high-performance and operational support, including coaching, management, and support staff which will earn them "a seven figure sum annually". "Hopefully we will also see a growth in capital but also dividends which will start to be spun out of that equity investment. "We still see India as untapped from a New Zealand Cricket perspective so we are putting a significant amount of energy and resource into growing New Zealand Cricket's and New Zealand Cricket players brand in India and we see the same in the US - partly diversifying away from India but also because we see America as such a huge market from a sports perspective," said Weenink. NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink. Photo: Photosport "We see cricket really taking off there on the back of the recent World Cup but also with the Olympics being held in LA in 2028 so we really want to tap into and jump on board the huge growth opportunity that Major League Cricket and US offers. Weenink said had been working on the deal for the past four months after initial discussions with the MLC. "The partnership (will position NZC)at the forefront of cricket's global transformation, as well as strengthening its presence in the world's most lucrative sporting market. "As franchise cricket grows globally, NZC needs to adapt to seize strategic opportunities that ensure the sustainability of our cricket network. "This helps diversify our revenue streams, expands our global brand and fan base, and creates new talent development and retention pathways for both our players and coaches." The yet un-named franchise hopes to tap into a 25 million-strong cricket fan base that is driving the sport's growth in North America, following the 2024 T20 World Cup and cricket's inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympics.
