New Zealand Cricket Steps Back from MLC Franchise Venture
New Zealand Cricket has withdrawn from its agreement with US-based True North Sports Ventures to provide high performance and operational support to a venture aimed at launching a Major League Cricket franchise in 2027.
The agreement was struck in April 2025. NZC confirmed on Wednesday that it had invested no capital in the partnership and would carry no ongoing investment or involvement. The decision, the board said, was driven by a need to concentrate resources on opportunities within New Zealand before considering expansion abroad.
Geoff Allott, the NZC chief executive, was careful to frame the withdrawal as a matter of timing rather than a rejection of the American market.
“Firstly, I want to say that I admire the endeavour and aspiration behind the partnership with TNS,” Allott said. “There’s plenty of potential in the American market, however following further evaluation of the opportunity, we don’t think the timing is right for us to be taking this on”.
“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 thanked TNS and MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan for allowing NZC to explore the opportunity and for their support in reaching what he described as a mutual agreement.
“We wish them all the best for the future of MLC and have pledged to keep the lines of communication open.”
The withdrawal leaves the proposed franchise without NZC’s high performance and operational backing, though the financial exposure to New Zealand’s governing body is nil. For NZC, the decision signals a deliberate narrowing of focus at a time when investment in domestic infrastructure and player development has been prioritised over offshore ventures.
