New Zealand Cricket to launch MLC franchise in world-first move

On Thursday (April 24), New Zealand Cricket issued a press release reading: "New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has agreed terms with US-based company True North Sports Ventures (TNS) to launch a new Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise, set to debut in the 2027 season.

"The first-of-its-kind agreement between a full member of the ICC and a franchise in a leading professional cricket league will see NZC provide high-performance and operational support, including coaching, management, and support staff, as well as integrating the franchise into NZC’s domestic high-performance ecosystem. 

"In the second development phase, NZC will offer expertise in cricket infrastructure and turf management. Additionally, NZC has become a foundation investor in TNS, able to make a more substantial equity investment before the end of 2025."

NZC's investment in an overseas franchise team is a first in world cricket. No other cricketing board has taken such a step. 

This move comes just a day after England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chair Richard Gould said there are "not more than four or five or perhaps six boards that are actually financially sustainable based on their own domestic cricket markets." Until earlier this year, the ECB held a 49 per cent stake in each of The Hundred franchises, which have now been sold to various bidders, including owners of IPL franchises.

Interestingly, the news about NZC's investment also comes one day after Lancashire CEO Daniel Gidney proposed that the ECB offer stakes in The Hundred to the BCCI to possibly attract India's male cricketers to play in the league.