NZC MLC Partnership – New Zealand Cricket Enters Major League Cricket With 2027 Expansion Franchise

NZC MLC Partnership: New Zealand Cricket Joins Forces to Launch MLC Expansion Franchise by 2027

Summary
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has signed a groundbreaking deal with True North Sports Ventures (TNS) to co-launch a new franchise in Major League Cricket (MLC), starting in the 2027 season. This marks the first time an ICC full member has partnered directly with a T20 franchise in a major professional league. The NZC MLC partnership brings high-performance expertise and investment power to the table, supporting cricket's growth in North America. Markets like Toronto and Atlanta are under review for the franchise base, with strategic long-term expansion into 2031 already in planning. The move positions NZC as a global player in the commercialization of cricket.

Summary: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has partnered with True North Sports Ventures to co-own a Major League Cricket expansion franchise debuting in 2027. The NZC MLC partnership signifies a new chapter for cricket in North America and global T20 growth.

A Bold Move: NZC’s Strategic Entry into North American Cricket

The NZC MLC partnership is more than just another expansion story it’s a strategic leap into the future of cricket. By teaming up with True North Sports Ventures, the operational arm tied to MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan, NZC is breaking new ground as the first full ICC member to enter into a direct franchise ownership role in a high-profile T20 league outside its home territory. This move aligns with the broader trend of globalization in cricket and signals New Zealand’s intent to remain competitive both on and off the field.

Major League Cricket Expansion 2027 – A New Era

Set to debut in 2027, the new franchise will be part of MLC’s first wave of league expansion, which aims to grow from six to eight teams. By 2031, the league plans to feature ten franchises, reinforcing its ambition to become the premier summer T20 competition worldwide. North American cities like Toronto and Atlanta are being evaluated for their potential to host the team, tapping into regions with strong immigrant communities and an existing appetite for cricket.

The partnership also opens doors for NZC to co-develop a second franchise by 2031, giving them a strategic footprint in both early and long-term phases of Major League Cricket expansion.

Why the NZC MLC Partnership Makes Sense Now

According to NZC CEO Scott Weenink, this collaboration is timely. As he put it, cricket is undergoing a "global transformation," and organizations must adapt or risk falling behind. The New Zealand Cricket North America venture is designed not just to expand revenue but to deepen player development pathways, broaden the fanbase, and amplify NZC’s global footprint. Weenink sees the MLC opportunity as an essential diversification of cricket’s ecosystem one that introduces New Zealand’s values, coaching expertise, and development systems to the booming American sports market.

True North Sports Ventures, backed by private equity and major sports investors including the San Francisco 49ers’ investment arm (49ers Enterprises), is equally bullish. The firm brings operational firepower and access to elite sports networks, and its MLC ties ensure a seamless entry for NZC’s talent and structure.

What This Means for New Zealand Cricket

The impact of the NZC MLC partnership will likely go far beyond North American borders. By investing early in MLC’s future, NZC not only gains equity but a say in the growth of a league poised to be the IPL of the West. It’s also a signal to other boards that participation in global franchise cricket doesn’t have to be passive. With performance staff, infrastructure consultation, and scouting pipelines to be provided by NZC, the benefits run both ways.

This move could also have implications for player retention. Young Kiwi cricketers, often lured by overseas leagues, may now find clearer pathways through NZC-run entities abroad. It could also make New Zealand a more attractive hub for overseas players looking to connect to the North American market.

Willow TV, Fan Growth, and Cricket’s American Moment

Crucial to the expansion’s success is the pre-existing popularity of MLC broadcasts via Willow TV, the premier cricket streaming service in North America. Founded by Mehta and Srinivasan, Willow already delivers content to millions and will play a central role in building the franchise’s fanbase. The Major League Cricket expansion 2027 isn’t starting from scratch it’s entering a market already showing signs of explosive interest.

This momentum has been further boosted by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 and cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, both of which have laid the groundwork for long-term engagement with North American audiences. The new franchise will immediately have access to over 25 million cricket fans in the region.

The Road Ahead: Infrastructure, Expertise, and Legacy Building

In its second phase, the NZC MLC partnership will expand into infrastructure development. Turf management, coaching systems, academy tie-ups, and even stadium collaborations could emerge as part of NZC’s larger role in shaping the league’s standards. As part of this blueprint, New Zealand’s tried-and-tested cricketing culture and lean, efficient development models will serve as a framework for success.

It’s also a story of alignment entrepreneurial vision meets sporting tradition. Both NZC and TNS are bringing their unique strengths to the table. TNS has shown it can scale start-ups like Willow and MLC. NZC, on the other hand, brings legacy, governance, and proven international success.

Conclusion: A Partnership for the Modern Cricketing Age

The NZC MLC partnership is a landmark moment not just for New Zealand but for cricket as a whole. It represents a fusion of traditional cricket excellence with North America’s innovation-driven sports economy. As the global cricket map redraws itself, NZC’s proactive move could set a precedent for other boards to follow. Whether it’s talent development, fan engagement, or strategic investment, this initiative places NZC at the heart of cricket’s next frontier.

More details about the team name, branding, and home city will be announced later in 2025. Until then, one thing is certain cricket in North America just got a serious boost.