New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with American company True North Sports Ventures (TNS) to launch a new franchise in Major League Cricket (MLC), set to debut in the 2027 season. This marks a unique collaboration between a full International Cricket Council (ICC) member and a professional cricket league franchise.
As part of the deal, NZC will provide operational support, including coaching, management, and high-performance staff, to help establish the new franchise. TNS is considering Toronto and Atlanta, among other cities, as potential locations for the team. The MLC’s inaugural season took place in 2023, and the league currently features six teams based in major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Washington DC.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink emphasized that this partnership is crucial for expanding the global footprint of New Zealand cricket. He stated, “As franchise cricket grows globally, NZC needs to adapt to seize strategic opportunities that ensure the sustainability of our cricket network.” The deal is seen as a way to diversify NZC’s revenue streams, enhance its brand presence worldwide, and open new talent development pathways for players and coaches.
The MLC plans to expand to eight teams by 2027, with a goal of reaching 10 teams by 2031. NZC also noted that this partnership could extend to other opportunities, including a second franchise in 2031, in collaboration with MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan.
