New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has partnered with True North Sports Ventures (TNS), a US-based company, to launch a new Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise in the 2027 season.
MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan are the majority owners of entities with exclusive rights to own and operate two MLC expansion franchises, the first of which will be set in motion by TNS in 2027.
TNS is exploring several key markets across North America, including Toronto and Atlanta, to base the new franchise.
According to a NZC release, it can 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. It will also integrate the franchise into NZC’s domestic high-performance ecosystem.
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In the second phase, NZC will offer cricket infrastructure and turf management expertise. NZC chief executive Scott Weenink disclosed that the partnership would position his organisation at the forefront of cricket’s global transformation and strengthen its presence in the world’s most lucrative sporting market.
“This agreement marks a unique and exciting milestone for NZC,” Weenink added. “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 emphasised that the MLC was a world-class T20 tournament. He said NZC would be joining an array of world-class, global sports, high-net-worth, and private equity investors.
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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.
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.
Currently comprising six foundation franchises featuring players such as 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 10 by 2031.
The league also supports a robust youth cricket system and a semi-professional minor league in the US.
Notably, three of the six teams in the MLC are owned by IPL team owners – Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings. Seattle, the only small-market franchise in the league, have ties with Delhi Capitals. While San Francisco and Washington don’t have any IPL attachments, they have partnerships with Cricket Victoria and Cricket NSW, respectively.