Wellington, April 24 (H.S.): New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced a strategic partnership with an upcoming team in Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States. This team will make its debut in 2027, and it is owned by a group named 'True North Sports Ventures,' which is managed by MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan. This group will also include the investment branch of the San Francisco 49ers, a team from the National Football League (NFL) in the United States.
Under this agreement, NZC will not only become a stakeholder in the team, but will also take responsibility for cricket operations, player development, and high-performance programs. This will involve coordinating coaches, contracted players, and the domestic cricket system.
NZC's Chief Executive Officer Scott Wynne stated in an official statement, This partnership will provide us with payment for our services and an opportunity to invest in both American cricket and our own cricket framework.
Co-owner of the team, Sameer Mehta, mentioned that discussions are also ongoing with a prominent film star. He described NZC as the world's best organization in high performance and stated that their expertise would be extremely beneficial in a region with limited talent like America. Additionally, the business expertise of the 49ers will also assist in brand promotion, sponsorship, and commercial goods.
NZC has described this agreement as part of its five-year strategy aimed at diversifying income sources. Despite the quality of the Super Smash competition, New Zealand’s limited market and lack of favorable broadcast times keep its revenue limited. Therefore, participation in MLC is seen as an independent economic opportunity.
This agreement will give rise to a new initiative in international cricket, where for the first time, a national cricket organization will partner in another country’s professional league. This visionary initiative by NZC could prove to be a significant step in empowering American cricket while also economically strengthening New Zealand cricket.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
