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.
MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan are the majority owners of entities which hold exclusive rights to own and operate two MLC expansion franchises, the first of which will be launched by TNS in 2027.
TNS is exploring several key markets across North America, including Toronto and Atlanta, to base the new franchise.
NZC also has the opportunity to partner with Mehta and Srinivasan on other strategic opportunities, such as the second franchise planned for 2031.
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 phase of development, NZC will offer expertise in cricket infrastructure and turf management.
Additionally, NZC has become a foundation investor in TNS, with the ability to make a more substantial equity investment before the end of 2025.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said the partnership would position his organisation at the forefront of cricket’s global transformation, as well as strengthening its presence in the world’s most lucrative sporting market.
“This agreement marks a unique and exciting milestone for NZC,” he 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.”
Weenink noted MLC was a world-class T20 tournament, and said he was proud to align with Messrs. Mehta and Srinivasan and the TNS investor group, to drive cricket’s growth in North America.
He said NZC would be joining an array of world-class, global sports, high net worth, and private equity investors in TNS, including 49ers Enterprises (the investment arm of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers) which boasts an enviable portfolio of global sports assets, including recently promoted English Premier League side, Leeds United.
Mehta and Srinivasan are serial entrepreneurs who co-founded Willow TV, North America’s premier cricket broadcaster, after which they co-founded the MLC and led its successful launch in 2023.
“TNS is delighted to partner with NZC, an organisation admired for its sustained success despite limited financial and playing resources compared to other international cricketing bodies,” said Mehta.
“As founders of start-ups that have rapidly grown to established businesses, we see NZC as a perfect fit for our new franchise.
“With NZC’s expertise, our expansion franchise will elevate MLC’s world-class T20 product and support cricket’s rapid growth in our region.
“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.”
MLC, which achieved “List A” status ahead of its 2024 season, is a leading global T20 tournament played in North America over three to four weeks during June and July, broadcast in the US via Willow TV, and in major global markets, including New Zealand.
Currently comprising six foundation franchises featuring players such as top BLACKCAPS Matt Henry, Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen and Trent Boult, and overseas stars like Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Steve Smith, and David Miller, MLC plans to expand to eight teams by 2027 and ten by 2031.
The league also supports a robust youth cricket system and a semi-professional minor league in the US.
The yet un-named NZC-backed franchise, set to be formally announced later this year, will tap into a 25 million strong cricket fan base that is driving the sport’s rapid growth in North America, evidenced by the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup and cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympics.
About True North Sports
TNS is set to launch an expansion Major League Cricket franchise in a major North American market in 2027. Majority-owned by MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan, TNS is backed by global investors.
About Major League Cricket
Major League Cricket is the USA’s premier T20 competition, featuring world-class players and coaches. Launched in 2023, MLC has achieved “List A” status and is broadcast globally, with plans to expand to ten franchises by 2031.
Source: https://www.nzc.nz/
