New Zealand cricket signs partnership with Major League Cricket

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has officially announced its entry into the United States’ Major League Cricket (MLC), with a new franchise set to debut in the 2027 edition of the league.

The announcement came on Wednesday after NZC reached an agreement with True North Sports Ventures (TNS), a US-based sports company that promotes cricket in North America.

Under the partnership, NZC will provide high-performance and operational support for the franchise, including coaching, team management, and support staff. The new team will also be integrated into NZC’s domestic high-performance system, creating stronger development pathways for players and coaches.

NZC chief executive Scott Weenink called the move a significant step in cricket’s global expansion and a major opportunity for New Zealand Cricket.

“This agreement marks a unique and exciting milestone for NZC,” Weenink 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,” he added. 

True North Sports Ventures also shared their enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the potential of cricket in the American market.

“The potential for cricket in North America is immense, and we look forward to working with NZC to deliver on both our ambitions and theirs, including broader strategic and corporate opportunities globally,” TNS said in a statement.