1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zed B. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:16,307 Speaker 2: Here in New Zealand n ZED twenty for the first time, 4 00:00:16,347 --> 00:00:19,987 Speaker 2: we can hear from those behind the idea. Don McKinnon 5 00:00:20,187 --> 00:00:23,507 Speaker 2: is the chair of the n ZED twenty establishing Committee 6 00:00:23,747 --> 00:00:26,747 Speaker 2: and one of the most experienced and respected figures in 7 00:00:26,787 --> 00:00:30,507 Speaker 2: New Zealand's sporting governance. He joins us now on Weekend Sport. Don, 8 00:00:30,587 --> 00:00:33,667 Speaker 2: thanks for your time. Let's start with who is involved 9 00:00:33,867 --> 00:00:36,387 Speaker 2: in n Z twenty. 10 00:00:37,067 --> 00:00:41,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, Gothan and Jason Well. I am ares that about 11 00:00:41,307 --> 00:00:42,827 Speaker 3: three or four months ago. 12 00:00:43,587 --> 00:00:46,867 Speaker 4: And I was approached back then by a group of 13 00:00:46,907 --> 00:00:50,987 Speaker 4: people including Stephen Swimming, obviously one of the greats of 14 00:00:50,987 --> 00:00:55,427 Speaker 4: our game, Heath Mills, who's the CEO of the Players Association, 15 00:00:56,867 --> 00:01:00,867 Speaker 4: some of the MHS, and a few other people who 16 00:01:01,507 --> 00:01:04,227 Speaker 4: love the game and I think are really well respected 17 00:01:04,267 --> 00:01:07,947 Speaker 4: in the game and based I was asked if I 18 00:01:07,987 --> 00:01:10,987 Speaker 4: would have a look at this project, whether I thought 19 00:01:11,027 --> 00:01:12,987 Speaker 4: it was viable, whether I thought it could work in 20 00:01:13,027 --> 00:01:16,267 Speaker 4: New Zealand, and if I did, how we might advance 21 00:01:16,307 --> 00:01:18,827 Speaker 4: it to a point where we could bring it to 22 00:01:18,827 --> 00:01:21,467 Speaker 4: New Zealand Cricket as an option for them to have 23 00:01:21,507 --> 00:01:24,267 Speaker 4: a really good look at So that's been the process. 24 00:01:24,787 --> 00:01:25,947 Speaker 2: Do you think it's viable? 25 00:01:26,947 --> 00:01:27,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, I do. 26 00:01:28,027 --> 00:01:33,907 Speaker 4: In fact, I'm extraordinarily excited by it, and that excitement's actually. 27 00:01:33,627 --> 00:01:37,947 Speaker 3: Growing over time. I must admit. Throw the go back 28 00:01:37,987 --> 00:01:38,547 Speaker 3: a decade. 29 00:01:38,587 --> 00:01:40,387 Speaker 4: I was actually on the board of New Zealand Cricket 30 00:01:40,427 --> 00:01:43,427 Speaker 4: and we looked at setting up a franchise league back 31 00:01:43,427 --> 00:01:47,267 Speaker 4: in twenty thirteen, twenty fourteen. I think it was at 32 00:01:47,267 --> 00:01:50,627 Speaker 4: the time we didn't think it was viable. But as 33 00:01:51,747 --> 00:01:55,267 Speaker 4: one highly respected figure put to me, you know, there's 34 00:01:55,307 --> 00:01:58,427 Speaker 4: never been more money in the international game of cricket. 35 00:01:58,467 --> 00:02:02,747 Speaker 4: At the moment, it's a wash in cash, frankly, and 36 00:02:02,987 --> 00:02:04,987 Speaker 4: so many people around the world are excited by it, 37 00:02:05,027 --> 00:02:08,107 Speaker 4: are investing in its Franklin, New Zealand's not part of that. 38 00:02:09,107 --> 00:02:12,347 Speaker 4: We've stayed in that model where we're very much relied 39 00:02:12,387 --> 00:02:15,667 Speaker 4: on our wonderful international teams, our Black Caps, our White 40 00:02:15,667 --> 00:02:19,427 Speaker 4: fans to sort of carry beload, and I just think 41 00:02:19,467 --> 00:02:22,227 Speaker 4: the time is right to maybe tweak that model and 42 00:02:23,187 --> 00:02:25,907 Speaker 4: to create something to get our domestic league that fans 43 00:02:25,947 --> 00:02:29,667 Speaker 4: are really excited by. So yes, I think the money's there, 44 00:02:29,667 --> 00:02:32,147 Speaker 4: and I think the interest's there, and I think the 45 00:02:32,147 --> 00:02:32,987 Speaker 4: timing is perfect. 46 00:02:33,507 --> 00:02:37,467 Speaker 2: So we specifically or even generally, would investment in NZ 47 00:02:37,667 --> 00:02:40,307 Speaker 2: twenty come from, well. 48 00:02:40,187 --> 00:02:45,187 Speaker 4: That's inevitably a good chunk of it would be international. Now, 49 00:02:45,707 --> 00:02:48,667 Speaker 4: obviously in cricket, India is very high on that list, 50 00:02:48,707 --> 00:02:52,027 Speaker 4: but it's by no means the only areas or countries 51 00:02:52,067 --> 00:02:55,267 Speaker 4: where money is coming into the game. And you see 52 00:02:55,267 --> 00:02:58,427 Speaker 4: that in areas like South Africa in the Caribbean League. 53 00:02:59,107 --> 00:03:01,827 Speaker 4: You see it the interest in even European cricket at 54 00:03:01,827 --> 00:03:08,947 Speaker 4: the moment, Asian cricket. So our initial investigations inquiries show 55 00:03:09,027 --> 00:03:12,627 Speaker 4: a really high level of interest in investing in this 56 00:03:12,747 --> 00:03:16,827 Speaker 4: tournament in New Zealand. We would want if we possibly could, 57 00:03:16,947 --> 00:03:21,187 Speaker 4: also have local investment, and the model we have created 58 00:03:21,907 --> 00:03:26,867 Speaker 4: also ensures some really significant benefits for our major associations. 59 00:03:27,067 --> 00:03:31,347 Speaker 4: So the community game benefits from this competition if we 60 00:03:31,387 --> 00:03:35,987 Speaker 4: get it right. But I've been frankly a little bit 61 00:03:35,987 --> 00:03:39,427 Speaker 4: blown away by just how respected cricket in New Zealand 62 00:03:39,587 --> 00:03:43,307 Speaker 4: is and therefore the level of interest in getting involved 63 00:03:43,307 --> 00:03:44,547 Speaker 4: in something that we set up. 64 00:03:45,107 --> 00:03:47,067 Speaker 2: I want to come back to the grassroots benefit in 65 00:03:47,107 --> 00:03:49,947 Speaker 2: a moment, but investment of the type you're talking about 66 00:03:50,067 --> 00:03:53,107 Speaker 2: is it sustainable over a long period of time? 67 00:03:54,507 --> 00:03:56,587 Speaker 4: Yeah, again, it's a great question. I think the answer 68 00:03:56,667 --> 00:04:00,147 Speaker 4: is yes. But you know, only time tells, right. So 69 00:04:00,907 --> 00:04:02,947 Speaker 4: the key thing to bear in mind here is we 70 00:04:03,027 --> 00:04:06,907 Speaker 4: are probably not Probably we are the only major nation 71 00:04:07,467 --> 00:04:10,667 Speaker 4: that doesn't have a form of franchise cricket. Now. The 72 00:04:10,667 --> 00:04:13,547 Speaker 4: BBL is slightly different in Australia in the sense its 73 00:04:13,587 --> 00:04:16,067 Speaker 4: ownership is more out of the states at present. That 74 00:04:16,427 --> 00:04:20,187 Speaker 4: could change in the future. But what we're looking to 75 00:04:20,227 --> 00:04:23,587 Speaker 4: do here is not novel. In actual fact, it's done 76 00:04:23,587 --> 00:04:26,107 Speaker 4: all around the world. The better question might be why 77 00:04:26,107 --> 00:04:29,587 Speaker 4: aren't we now? What we do know is that the 78 00:04:29,587 --> 00:04:32,427 Speaker 4: South African League, for example, has gone from loss making 79 00:04:32,547 --> 00:04:36,787 Speaker 4: to extraordinarily successful. The Caribbean League has done exactly the same, 80 00:04:37,827 --> 00:04:40,987 Speaker 4: And the Caribbean League is probably the model we've most 81 00:04:41,067 --> 00:04:44,947 Speaker 4: folks mostly looked at as replicating, in part in the 82 00:04:44,987 --> 00:04:49,907 Speaker 4: sense it's a relatively small economy, a relatively small talent pool. 83 00:04:51,067 --> 00:04:54,667 Speaker 4: Yet it is reinvigorating the game in the Caribbean. You know, 84 00:04:54,667 --> 00:04:57,467 Speaker 4: you just have to watch anything on TV and see 85 00:04:57,987 --> 00:05:01,467 Speaker 4: fans in Trinidad or in Jamaica just going absolutely nuts 86 00:05:01,467 --> 00:05:07,067 Speaker 4: over domestic cricketer game. So you know here in thirty 87 00:05:07,147 --> 00:05:11,147 Speaker 4: years time, I don't know, but the model is certainly 88 00:05:11,227 --> 00:05:15,067 Speaker 4: doing great things for the game at the moment, and 89 00:05:15,547 --> 00:05:17,827 Speaker 4: I think that we there's absolutely no reason we can't 90 00:05:17,827 --> 00:05:18,347 Speaker 4: do it here. 91 00:05:18,947 --> 00:05:22,227 Speaker 2: What would New Zealand Crickets involvement in n Z twenty 92 00:05:22,307 --> 00:05:24,587 Speaker 2: consist of, Well. 93 00:05:24,427 --> 00:05:26,827 Speaker 3: Most importantly, they have to agree to it. 94 00:05:26,947 --> 00:05:29,787 Speaker 4: So, I mean, one of the reasons I was keen 95 00:05:29,867 --> 00:05:33,187 Speaker 4: to talk is that there's been this somewhat strange description 96 00:05:33,307 --> 00:05:36,827 Speaker 4: floating around of a rebel league. This is as far 97 00:05:36,867 --> 00:05:41,347 Speaker 4: from a rebel league as you could get. Certainly the 98 00:05:41,387 --> 00:05:44,067 Speaker 4: group that I've described other people that have tried to 99 00:05:44,067 --> 00:05:46,827 Speaker 4: bring it together, but we brought it to New Zealand 100 00:05:46,867 --> 00:05:52,467 Speaker 4: Cricket as a proposal some months ago. I've worked closely 101 00:05:52,547 --> 00:05:54,467 Speaker 4: with New Zealand called a board. 102 00:05:56,507 --> 00:05:57,387 Speaker 3: NZ SEA Board. 103 00:05:57,387 --> 00:06:00,187 Speaker 4: Have put two members of their board on our committee 104 00:06:00,227 --> 00:06:04,267 Speaker 4: to help us assess the project. They have been really 105 00:06:04,307 --> 00:06:07,947 Speaker 4: clear in telling us this is one option that they 106 00:06:07,947 --> 00:06:10,267 Speaker 4: wish to look at and it's by no means the 107 00:06:10,307 --> 00:06:13,067 Speaker 4: only option to grow the game in New Zealand, and 108 00:06:13,067 --> 00:06:14,507 Speaker 4: frankly that's good governance. 109 00:06:14,547 --> 00:06:17,147 Speaker 3: I support that on no problem with that at all. 110 00:06:18,307 --> 00:06:21,747 Speaker 4: But you know, it would be crazy to do this 111 00:06:21,867 --> 00:06:25,067 Speaker 4: without the support of New Zeigon Cricket, and we are 112 00:06:25,107 --> 00:06:26,827 Speaker 4: doing our best to set this up in a way 113 00:06:26,907 --> 00:06:30,627 Speaker 4: where ultimately their wo would go, Yes, we're on board, 114 00:06:30,627 --> 00:06:32,747 Speaker 4: we want to grant this license, we want to support this, 115 00:06:34,467 --> 00:06:36,347 Speaker 4: and if they don't it, if they've got something better 116 00:06:36,347 --> 00:06:38,307 Speaker 4: that they think can invigorate. 117 00:06:37,827 --> 00:06:39,827 Speaker 3: The game in New Zealand, then then so be it. 118 00:06:40,267 --> 00:06:40,787 Speaker 3: On all for. 119 00:06:41,027 --> 00:06:43,907 Speaker 4: Cricket growing in New Zealand. So if there's something better 120 00:06:43,907 --> 00:06:46,867 Speaker 4: out there, that's the option they'll take. I have to 121 00:06:46,867 --> 00:06:49,987 Speaker 4: say though, that from my perspective and with the team 122 00:06:49,987 --> 00:06:53,747 Speaker 4: I'm working with, we think this is just so exciting, 123 00:06:53,907 --> 00:06:55,467 Speaker 4: such a great opportunity for the game. 124 00:06:55,707 --> 00:06:58,187 Speaker 2: You alluded to it before, don How would n Z 125 00:06:58,387 --> 00:07:02,307 Speaker 2: twenty benefit the grassroots of the game here in New Zealand. 126 00:07:03,627 --> 00:07:07,707 Speaker 4: Well, first and foremost, the model we've designed and would 127 00:07:07,747 --> 00:07:11,867 Speaker 4: be you receive a league at league investor puts money 128 00:07:11,867 --> 00:07:15,307 Speaker 4: into actually help fund the competition for a period of 129 00:07:15,307 --> 00:07:17,227 Speaker 4: time until we can get it back to break even 130 00:07:17,267 --> 00:07:20,387 Speaker 4: and then to actually start making money. You then sell 131 00:07:20,427 --> 00:07:25,027 Speaker 4: your teams. Our concept would be potentially six teams and 132 00:07:25,107 --> 00:07:28,867 Speaker 4: the men's competition around the country we are also wanting 133 00:07:28,907 --> 00:07:32,027 Speaker 4: to have a woman's comp that the men's comp would 134 00:07:32,027 --> 00:07:36,187 Speaker 4: be six teams around the country. Effectively, the revenue generator 135 00:07:36,227 --> 00:07:38,867 Speaker 4: from the sale of those teams would go into a 136 00:07:38,907 --> 00:07:43,547 Speaker 4: capital fund for our major associations and the major association 137 00:07:44,787 --> 00:07:48,027 Speaker 4: excuse me, the major associations would own twenty five percent 138 00:07:48,067 --> 00:07:50,747 Speaker 4: of the cop Now that's the concept that's still open 139 00:07:50,827 --> 00:07:55,347 Speaker 4: to discussion with NZC and other parties. But if you 140 00:07:55,387 --> 00:07:59,387 Speaker 4: think about it, the team fund basically creates an investment 141 00:08:00,267 --> 00:08:03,307 Speaker 4: which will help fund community cricket through the maas four 142 00:08:03,347 --> 00:08:05,787 Speaker 4: years to come. And if this thing starts to make 143 00:08:05,827 --> 00:08:11,947 Speaker 4: really good, there's ongoing distributions as well, So it's certainly 144 00:08:12,027 --> 00:08:15,027 Speaker 4: not just elite cricket with no interest in the game here. 145 00:08:15,147 --> 00:08:19,267 Speaker 4: If it works, that money goes straight into a major associations. 146 00:08:20,227 --> 00:08:22,627 Speaker 2: If the competition's played in January, which by the sounds 147 00:08:22,627 --> 00:08:26,027 Speaker 2: of it is the proposed window for it, how would 148 00:08:26,027 --> 00:08:29,547 Speaker 2: you ensure top quality import players Given the fact that 149 00:08:29,587 --> 00:08:31,267 Speaker 2: the Aussie Big Bash is on at that time, the 150 00:08:31,307 --> 00:08:34,547 Speaker 2: South African T twenty competition is also on at that time, 151 00:08:34,547 --> 00:08:38,667 Speaker 2: you wouldn't be the only game on the globe during January. 152 00:08:38,667 --> 00:08:42,547 Speaker 4: Correct, Yeah, And we're really conscious of that. I think 153 00:08:42,627 --> 00:08:45,987 Speaker 4: Jason that the first thing is we want to make 154 00:08:46,027 --> 00:08:48,307 Speaker 4: sure our very best New Zealand players are playing in it. 155 00:08:48,587 --> 00:08:52,067 Speaker 4: So Heath has been talking a lot too. You know, 156 00:08:52,147 --> 00:08:55,267 Speaker 4: the Daryn Mitchell's of this world and the Kane Williamsons 157 00:08:55,547 --> 00:08:59,267 Speaker 4: and our best players. They are incredibly excited about this 158 00:08:59,347 --> 00:09:02,547 Speaker 4: as a concept. So you know, first and foremost you're 159 00:09:02,587 --> 00:09:04,667 Speaker 4: going to have you know, a young kid playing for 160 00:09:04,707 --> 00:09:08,307 Speaker 4: Otago bowling to Fine for example. That's got to be 161 00:09:08,347 --> 00:09:11,227 Speaker 4: good for the game in New Zealand. Do you think 162 00:09:11,267 --> 00:09:11,867 Speaker 4: about it too? 163 00:09:11,987 --> 00:09:12,307 Speaker 3: Though? 164 00:09:12,787 --> 00:09:15,467 Speaker 4: There's an awful lot of really good white ball cricketers 165 00:09:15,467 --> 00:09:17,867 Speaker 4: around the world, and not all of them can play 166 00:09:17,867 --> 00:09:21,627 Speaker 4: in South Africa and Australia. So I have no doubt 167 00:09:21,747 --> 00:09:25,107 Speaker 4: that there would be the opportunity to still supplement squads. 168 00:09:25,267 --> 00:09:27,507 Speaker 4: You know, let's take a squad of say fifteen players. 169 00:09:27,547 --> 00:09:30,667 Speaker 4: Three or four of those might be international players, and 170 00:09:30,707 --> 00:09:33,507 Speaker 4: they would still be very good, exciting players that we 171 00:09:33,547 --> 00:09:37,387 Speaker 4: think would help put bums on seats. There might also be, 172 00:09:37,427 --> 00:09:39,867 Speaker 4: and we're just exploring this at the moment, the possibility 173 00:09:39,867 --> 00:09:42,307 Speaker 4: of a marquet player. So if an owners says listen, 174 00:09:42,387 --> 00:09:46,147 Speaker 4: I comply with a salary cap which we'd have in 175 00:09:46,187 --> 00:09:48,227 Speaker 4: place around the fundage of my team, but I'm allowed 176 00:09:48,267 --> 00:09:51,907 Speaker 4: to spend whatever I like on one player. That's another 177 00:09:51,947 --> 00:09:54,267 Speaker 4: way where we're sort of thinking about whether that could 178 00:09:54,387 --> 00:09:55,827 Speaker 4: just if you've got the money and you want to 179 00:09:55,827 --> 00:09:58,547 Speaker 4: spend it on you know, I don't know, a Nicholas 180 00:09:58,587 --> 00:10:02,427 Speaker 4: Pooran or Ben Stokes or whatever, then if it's your 181 00:10:02,467 --> 00:10:04,307 Speaker 4: private money, you're not taking that money out of a 182 00:10:04,347 --> 00:10:07,227 Speaker 4: community game that could only be good. 183 00:10:07,507 --> 00:10:11,027 Speaker 2: In my view, is there a desire to make sure 184 00:10:11,027 --> 00:10:15,547 Speaker 2: that n Z twenty also improves the international performances of 185 00:10:15,587 --> 00:10:17,027 Speaker 2: our black Caps and White fans. 186 00:10:18,107 --> 00:10:19,947 Speaker 3: I think it sort of happens automatically. 187 00:10:19,987 --> 00:10:22,427 Speaker 4: I mean, I'd be the first to say that that 188 00:10:22,947 --> 00:10:25,147 Speaker 4: the key to this model is that the Black Caps 189 00:10:25,147 --> 00:10:28,107 Speaker 4: and the White fans remain the pre eminent model, the 190 00:10:28,107 --> 00:10:30,907 Speaker 4: pre eminent tool to drive the game in New Zealand. 191 00:10:30,947 --> 00:10:32,507 Speaker 3: That's the way the models set up. 192 00:10:32,587 --> 00:10:35,227 Speaker 4: And we are only talking about sort of in the 193 00:10:35,307 --> 00:10:39,227 Speaker 4: men's case, a four week window of this comp But 194 00:10:39,427 --> 00:10:41,467 Speaker 4: you know the example I gave of, you know, a 195 00:10:42,307 --> 00:10:44,147 Speaker 4: young quick bowl of bowling to finel and at the 196 00:10:44,187 --> 00:10:47,067 Speaker 4: top of the top of a teach n Z twenty 197 00:10:47,107 --> 00:10:51,307 Speaker 4: match can only improve skill set. You know, at the moment, 198 00:10:51,347 --> 00:10:54,587 Speaker 4: so many of our best players are actually not committing 199 00:10:54,587 --> 00:10:56,947 Speaker 4: to New Zealand contracts because of the money they can 200 00:10:56,987 --> 00:11:00,387 Speaker 4: earn around the world. We feel quite confident this will 201 00:11:00,387 --> 00:11:04,067 Speaker 4: help in zed see retain that talent and retain more 202 00:11:04,067 --> 00:11:08,307 Speaker 4: centrally contracted players. It's not the panacea to everything. Would 203 00:11:08,307 --> 00:11:10,947 Speaker 4: be the first to say that as well, but from 204 00:11:10,987 --> 00:11:14,067 Speaker 4: our perspective, it could only be good in terms of 205 00:11:14,107 --> 00:11:16,667 Speaker 4: improving the quality of our young men and women coming 206 00:11:16,707 --> 00:11:17,387 Speaker 4: through our system. 207 00:11:18,067 --> 00:11:21,507 Speaker 2: You mentioned the Caribbean Premier League before as a competition 208 00:11:21,547 --> 00:11:25,907 Speaker 2: you're perhaps looking to model yourselves on. Is there any 209 00:11:25,987 --> 00:11:29,347 Speaker 2: kind of cautionary tale there done and that the overwhelming 210 00:11:29,387 --> 00:11:31,707 Speaker 2: focus on their T twenty game has had a dramatic 211 00:11:31,747 --> 00:11:32,987 Speaker 2: effect on their test side. 212 00:11:34,627 --> 00:11:37,947 Speaker 4: Well, I thinks there the dramatic effect on the test site. 213 00:11:37,987 --> 00:11:40,667 Speaker 4: To be honest, it probably have started twenty thirty years ago, 214 00:11:41,027 --> 00:11:45,227 Speaker 4: So I don't think the Caribbean League. 215 00:11:46,427 --> 00:11:48,467 Speaker 3: Really can can have to. 216 00:11:48,987 --> 00:11:51,467 Speaker 4: It's probably fair that that has to wear that responsibility. 217 00:11:52,627 --> 00:11:54,387 Speaker 4: But I think the key thing about what we're talking 218 00:11:54,387 --> 00:11:57,387 Speaker 4: about here is we're looking to design something really unique 219 00:11:57,427 --> 00:12:01,667 Speaker 4: and boutique. So we're simply talking about four weeks and 220 00:12:01,707 --> 00:12:05,707 Speaker 4: we know, for example that you know there'll be will 221 00:12:05,747 --> 00:12:08,427 Speaker 4: be occasions that four week window has to adjust. So 222 00:12:08,547 --> 00:12:13,027 Speaker 4: for example, the black Cats play I think the Fourth 223 00:12:13,067 --> 00:12:15,507 Speaker 4: Test against Australia last week at the beginning at the 224 00:12:15,547 --> 00:12:19,027 Speaker 4: beginning of January twenty seven, if that was our start 225 00:12:19,067 --> 00:12:21,147 Speaker 4: date with the comp, we have to adjust slightly our 226 00:12:21,187 --> 00:12:23,907 Speaker 4: window to make sure the black Cats were still totally 227 00:12:23,947 --> 00:12:26,747 Speaker 4: the pre eminent the thing on display in terms of 228 00:12:26,787 --> 00:12:29,147 Speaker 4: cricket and New Zealand. But I think if we do 229 00:12:29,227 --> 00:12:32,467 Speaker 4: it small, we do it's really snappy, sharp. We create 230 00:12:32,547 --> 00:12:35,667 Speaker 4: something that's totally fa obsessive for four weeks of a 231 00:12:35,707 --> 00:12:39,667 Speaker 4: year in another period before Christmas, potentially for our woman. 232 00:12:40,507 --> 00:12:42,107 Speaker 4: I don't think that's going to take away from the 233 00:12:42,107 --> 00:12:44,227 Speaker 4: overall focus on our international teams. 234 00:12:44,427 --> 00:12:46,547 Speaker 3: I think it can only help more people. 235 00:12:46,307 --> 00:12:48,947 Speaker 4: Get excited about cricket, so that you know, at the 236 00:12:49,027 --> 00:12:52,027 Speaker 4: end of a ten Z twenty comp we've got some 237 00:12:52,107 --> 00:12:54,707 Speaker 4: international side coming to New Zealand. I think more bums 238 00:12:54,707 --> 00:12:56,547 Speaker 4: are going to be on seats, not less. 239 00:12:57,227 --> 00:12:59,627 Speaker 2: And you mentioned before that there are other ways, and 240 00:12:59,667 --> 00:13:03,507 Speaker 2: I'm sure you've heard them. There's a whether it's a 241 00:13:03,507 --> 00:13:06,147 Speaker 2: proposal or an idea of a New Zealand team or 242 00:13:06,147 --> 00:13:09,587 Speaker 2: teams entering Australia's Big Bash. Do you have a view 243 00:13:09,627 --> 00:13:11,907 Speaker 2: on that and why ND twenty would be a better option? 244 00:13:13,947 --> 00:13:16,907 Speaker 3: Well, I do. I mean again, I'll be the first to. 245 00:13:18,427 --> 00:13:20,347 Speaker 4: Applaud New Zealand Cricket for looking at all of their 246 00:13:20,387 --> 00:13:22,227 Speaker 4: options and I think they're doing the right thing. And 247 00:13:22,507 --> 00:13:25,227 Speaker 4: as I see it, if ultimately they say that's better 248 00:13:25,227 --> 00:13:28,587 Speaker 4: for cricket in New Zealand, then we will live with 249 00:13:28,667 --> 00:13:34,627 Speaker 4: that and I will wish that project every success. I 250 00:13:34,667 --> 00:13:38,267 Speaker 4: think from our perspective, assuming we can get the investment, 251 00:13:38,307 --> 00:13:41,147 Speaker 4: and people are entitled to question whether we can or not, 252 00:13:41,227 --> 00:13:43,827 Speaker 4: but if we can deliver the investment we believe we 253 00:13:43,907 --> 00:13:47,667 Speaker 4: can receive, then it seems to me a competition that's 254 00:13:47,707 --> 00:13:52,147 Speaker 4: played throughout New Zealand. So in our ideal world, we're 255 00:13:52,187 --> 00:13:55,707 Speaker 4: talking ideally holiday venues, you know. Could you imagine a 256 00:13:55,747 --> 00:13:58,147 Speaker 4: team in Queenstown, for example, at the peak of summer 257 00:13:58,627 --> 00:14:01,907 Speaker 4: with some of our best players playing some great international players. 258 00:14:02,187 --> 00:14:04,667 Speaker 3: So I think it's better for fans, I. 259 00:14:04,587 --> 00:14:07,587 Speaker 4: Think it's better for players, think it's better for our regions, 260 00:14:08,787 --> 00:14:10,667 Speaker 4: and personally, I think it's better for the black Cap 261 00:14:10,787 --> 00:14:14,307 Speaker 4: white Fern development program. But as I said, that's just 262 00:14:14,467 --> 00:14:19,027 Speaker 4: our opinion and I fully accept that New Zealand Cricketer 263 00:14:19,027 --> 00:14:20,987 Speaker 4: are looking at all their options, as I said, as 264 00:14:20,987 --> 00:14:21,427 Speaker 4: I should. 265 00:14:22,107 --> 00:14:24,027 Speaker 2: So what is your time frame that you're working to 266 00:14:24,187 --> 00:14:27,147 Speaker 2: now as a as an establishing committee? What are the 267 00:14:27,187 --> 00:14:30,707 Speaker 2: next steps? Ideally, don would be looking at something that 268 00:14:30,787 --> 00:14:33,987 Speaker 2: is up and running, you know, the summer after this one. 269 00:14:34,027 --> 00:14:35,027 Speaker 2: Would that be possible? 270 00:14:35,987 --> 00:14:39,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's that's still the goal, Jason. 271 00:14:39,267 --> 00:14:42,627 Speaker 4: The it's fair to say that that some of this 272 00:14:42,747 --> 00:14:44,907 Speaker 4: talk around rebel League has not been overly helpful for 273 00:14:45,027 --> 00:14:50,947 Speaker 4: us to be to be fair, but you may or 274 00:14:50,987 --> 00:14:53,507 Speaker 4: may not be aware that that super Smash effectively is 275 00:14:53,547 --> 00:14:56,947 Speaker 4: no longer televised as I understand it, after the summer, 276 00:14:57,747 --> 00:15:01,787 Speaker 4: and we think that provides a real opportunity for us 277 00:15:01,827 --> 00:15:04,947 Speaker 4: to step in and create something really exciting at that time. 278 00:15:06,147 --> 00:15:10,387 Speaker 4: So our goal is still to have a competition in 279 00:15:10,427 --> 00:15:14,907 Speaker 4: place by January twenty seven, and we've got a work program, 280 00:15:14,907 --> 00:15:19,107 Speaker 4: a pretty detailed one between now and then, so that's 281 00:15:19,467 --> 00:15:23,227 Speaker 4: what we're going to keep working too. New Zealand Cricket 282 00:15:23,427 --> 00:15:27,267 Speaker 4: obviously need to make a decision relatively soon as to 283 00:15:27,267 --> 00:15:29,947 Speaker 4: whether they want to continue to work with us to 284 00:15:29,947 --> 00:15:32,867 Speaker 4: see if that's achievable or look at other options. 285 00:15:33,667 --> 00:15:37,467 Speaker 3: But at the moment, if we can, and it sets 286 00:15:37,467 --> 00:15:38,667 Speaker 3: a hell of a big ask, I've. 287 00:15:38,587 --> 00:15:40,747 Speaker 4: Got to admit, but we're going to work really hard 288 00:15:40,747 --> 00:15:43,467 Speaker 4: to see if we could have this ready to go 289 00:15:43,627 --> 00:15:47,307 Speaker 4: straight after the last test against the Aussies next year. 290 00:15:47,747 --> 00:15:49,307 Speaker 3: Sorry, not much, yeah, twenty twenty seven. 291 00:15:49,467 --> 00:15:53,147 Speaker 2: Yes, has the labeling of this incorrectly as you say 292 00:15:53,187 --> 00:15:57,587 Speaker 2: as a rebel league, has that been unhelpful in terms 293 00:15:57,627 --> 00:15:58,627 Speaker 2: of securing investment? 294 00:15:59,547 --> 00:16:02,187 Speaker 4: Well, I think investors from overseas want that comes to 295 00:16:02,187 --> 00:16:05,107 Speaker 4: New Zealand for all the right reasons, and the right 296 00:16:05,187 --> 00:16:08,387 Speaker 4: reasons are certainly for the people we're talking to, who 297 00:16:08,467 --> 00:16:11,867 Speaker 4: I have to say are really high quality overseas investors, 298 00:16:12,467 --> 00:16:17,267 Speaker 4: extremely reputable, extremely well regarded. They don't want to come 299 00:16:17,267 --> 00:16:19,827 Speaker 4: into an environment that's controversial. They wanted to come into 300 00:16:19,867 --> 00:16:22,507 Speaker 4: an environment where they're welcomed. They want to come into 301 00:16:22,507 --> 00:16:26,387 Speaker 4: an environment where they can make a difference. So that's 302 00:16:26,427 --> 00:16:29,707 Speaker 4: the sort of environment we are looking to create, and 303 00:16:29,747 --> 00:16:31,867 Speaker 4: I hope everybody in New Zland Crackit wants that sort 304 00:16:31,867 --> 00:16:35,427 Speaker 4: of environment because that can only be good for the game. 305 00:16:35,627 --> 00:16:37,907 Speaker 4: I mean, somebody said to me recently, you know, they 306 00:16:37,987 --> 00:16:41,867 Speaker 4: raised the question of overseas investments, and I mentioned the 307 00:16:41,947 --> 00:16:44,867 Speaker 4: example which is dear to you, of AFC. I mean, 308 00:16:44,907 --> 00:16:48,587 Speaker 4: AFC are founded in part of overseas investments, and you 309 00:16:48,587 --> 00:16:51,347 Speaker 4: could only describe them as being as that investment, as 310 00:16:51,387 --> 00:16:54,627 Speaker 4: being outstanding for football, outstanding. 311 00:16:54,027 --> 00:16:54,547 Speaker 3: For the game. 312 00:16:54,747 --> 00:16:58,187 Speaker 4: So I hope we're mature enough as a country and 313 00:16:58,707 --> 00:17:02,187 Speaker 4: as a sporting nation to go if overseas investors are 314 00:17:02,187 --> 00:17:04,347 Speaker 4: looking to invest in our sport for the right reasons, 315 00:17:04,347 --> 00:17:08,147 Speaker 4: for the right sort of people, that's that's just that's 316 00:17:08,187 --> 00:17:11,387 Speaker 4: just awesome, and we should be welcoming that with open arts. 317 00:17:11,827 --> 00:17:14,787 Speaker 2: Don, you've given us a terrific insight this afternoon. Thanks 318 00:17:14,787 --> 00:17:16,707 Speaker 2: so much for your time. We look forward to staying 319 00:17:16,747 --> 00:17:19,747 Speaker 2: in touch with with developments. 320 00:17:19,187 --> 00:17:21,987 Speaker 3: To come CHET Jason, thanks very much for your time. 321 00:17:22,067 --> 00:17:24,187 Speaker 2: No thanks for yours, Don, I appreciate it very much. 322 00:17:24,307 --> 00:17:28,467 Speaker 2: Don McKinnon there the chair of the establishing committee for 323 00:17:28,867 --> 00:17:29,907 Speaker 2: ENZED twenty. 324 00:17:30,667 --> 00:17:33,827 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 325 00:17:33,947 --> 00:17:37,227 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 326 00:17:37,267 --> 00:17:38,867 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.