New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has decided to pause its planned investment in Major League Cricket (MLC), originally set for 2027. This move centres on NZC’s intention to channel resources towards New Zealand’s high-performance programmes.
Back in April 2025, NZC had announced a partnership with True North Sports (TNS) Ventures, spearheaded by MLC’s co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan. The arrangement aimed to involve NZC in the operation of one of two new teams ahead of the 2027 season, with NZC slated to provide high-performance and operational support.
“Firstly, I want to say that I admire the endeavour and aspiration behind the partnership with TNS,” stated NZC CEO, Geoff Allott. “There’s plenty of potential in the American market; however, following further evaluation, we don’t think the timing is right for us to be taking this on.”
NZC’s decision largely pivots on their strategy to first bolster New Zealand cricket domestically before venturing into international collaborations. The introduction of NZ20, the anticipated replacement for the Super Smash, has been deferred to December 2027.
“Our immediate priority is ensuring we continue to invest in strengthening cricket in New Zealand and refining the best possible high-performance environment for our players and teams,” Allott elaborated. He expressed gratitude towards TNS and the MLC founders for their cooperation, adding, “We wish them all the best for the future of MLC and have pledged to keep the lines of communication open.”
While New South Wales and Victoria have established their partnerships in the MLC, the planned NZC engagement was meant to be more comprehensive. Notably, players like Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Tim Seifer, and Lockie Ferguson have frequently participated in the MLC, highlighting a continuing relationship between New Zealand players and the American cricket scene.
