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 --> 00:00:13,227 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zb Yes. 3 00:00:13,267 --> 00:00:18,507 Speaker 2: Indeed, groundbreaking new partnership for New Zealand Cricket was announced 4 00:00:18,587 --> 00:00:22,067 Speaker 2: on Thursday. New Zealand Cricket have joined forces with the 5 00:00:22,147 --> 00:00:26,587 Speaker 2: financial backers of a new franchise in North America's Major 6 00:00:26,667 --> 00:00:31,187 Speaker 2: League Cricket competition. That competition has an estimated value of 7 00:00:31,267 --> 00:00:34,787 Speaker 2: at least two hundred million dollars now. The new team, 8 00:00:35,027 --> 00:00:38,267 Speaker 2: which is yet to be formally named or have their 9 00:00:38,307 --> 00:00:43,067 Speaker 2: location confirmed, will debut in the Major League Cricket twenty 10 00:00:43,187 --> 00:00:46,307 Speaker 2: twenty seven season. Great pleasure to welcome into the show. 11 00:00:46,347 --> 00:00:50,267 Speaker 2: New Zealand Crickets CEO Scott Winning. Scott, thanks for taking 12 00:00:50,267 --> 00:00:52,027 Speaker 2: the time for a chat this afternoon. How did this 13 00:00:52,067 --> 00:00:55,747 Speaker 2: all come about and what was the rationale behind it? 14 00:00:57,147 --> 00:01:01,907 Speaker 3: Well, look, initially, the thinking came about last year when 15 00:01:01,907 --> 00:01:06,787 Speaker 3: we were putting together our five year strategic plan and 16 00:01:06,867 --> 00:01:09,667 Speaker 3: you know, there was a realization that on the back 17 00:01:09,707 --> 00:01:13,867 Speaker 3: of the potential leaner squeeze on broadcast revenues and ICC 18 00:01:14,067 --> 00:01:17,467 Speaker 3: distributions which New Zealand Cricket is so heavily reliant on, 19 00:01:17,587 --> 00:01:21,627 Speaker 3: that we needed to start looking to try and diversify 20 00:01:22,667 --> 00:01:26,947 Speaker 3: way and find other new revenue streams, and one of 21 00:01:26,987 --> 00:01:31,027 Speaker 3: those the idea that came up was looking at, you know, 22 00:01:31,067 --> 00:01:36,547 Speaker 3: potentially providing our high performance services into a league such 23 00:01:36,547 --> 00:01:41,147 Speaker 3: as the m l C and earning some essentially service 24 00:01:41,187 --> 00:01:45,707 Speaker 3: revenues on the back of that. That then evolved to thinking, well, 25 00:01:45,747 --> 00:01:48,747 Speaker 3: if we're going to do that, perhaps we also look 26 00:01:48,787 --> 00:01:52,787 Speaker 3: at some sort of equity stake in whatever franchise we 27 00:01:52,907 --> 00:01:57,427 Speaker 3: might be providing those services to. So then that was 28 00:01:57,467 --> 00:02:01,227 Speaker 3: a catalyst for approaching the founders of Major Leath Cricket 29 00:02:01,307 --> 00:02:05,787 Speaker 3: about four months ago to essentially offer up our high 30 00:02:05,867 --> 00:02:11,507 Speaker 3: performance service services team, and that then quickly sort of 31 00:02:11,547 --> 00:02:14,947 Speaker 3: moved very very quickly forward. Is that they they themselves 32 00:02:14,947 --> 00:02:17,787 Speaker 3: that actually have been thinking about the approaching New Zealand 33 00:02:17,787 --> 00:02:21,347 Speaker 3: Cricket because you know, our high performance unit and the 34 00:02:21,467 --> 00:02:23,947 Speaker 3: success of our high performance unit and our teams is 35 00:02:24,427 --> 00:02:26,627 Speaker 3: obviously well known, but I've actually been thinking about approaching 36 00:02:26,707 --> 00:02:30,747 Speaker 3: us also. So it's all satrated very quickly to this 37 00:02:30,867 --> 00:02:34,987 Speaker 3: point where we've signed the partnership you know, to essentially 38 00:02:35,427 --> 00:02:38,187 Speaker 3: for two things. One is providing the high performance services 39 00:02:38,747 --> 00:02:42,307 Speaker 3: and secondly, you know, potentially taking equity stake in the franchise. 40 00:02:42,947 --> 00:02:45,547 Speaker 2: Okay, so there's two parts to this. As I understand 41 00:02:45,547 --> 00:02:49,147 Speaker 2: it, it allows you to diversify your revenue streams but also 42 00:02:49,227 --> 00:02:53,307 Speaker 2: to create opportunities for New Zealand's high performance staff and players. 43 00:02:53,347 --> 00:02:55,347 Speaker 2: So can we look at both things. First of all, 44 00:02:55,347 --> 00:02:58,427 Speaker 2: how beneficial SCOT is this to your balance sheet? 45 00:02:59,547 --> 00:03:02,747 Speaker 3: This would be very beneficial. You know, we're talking about 46 00:03:02,867 --> 00:03:06,187 Speaker 3: receiving you know, seven fig the sum in the squad 47 00:03:06,267 --> 00:03:12,227 Speaker 3: is essentially services revenue, and that is by providing our 48 00:03:12,467 --> 00:03:16,507 Speaker 3: the high performance unit to this franchise. There's also some 49 00:03:16,587 --> 00:03:21,507 Speaker 3: down potential downstream benefits on top of that, such as 50 00:03:21,627 --> 00:03:25,707 Speaker 3: you know, providing an opportunity for these the other franchise 51 00:03:25,747 --> 00:03:29,027 Speaker 3: players from from the US and Canada to actually come 52 00:03:29,067 --> 00:03:32,147 Speaker 3: down and train in New Zealand over our summer. That 53 00:03:32,187 --> 00:03:34,547 Speaker 3: would be a separate arrangement. And then there's also the 54 00:03:34,627 --> 00:03:39,587 Speaker 3: opportunity to you know, to to help them with building 55 00:03:39,627 --> 00:03:44,347 Speaker 3: their stadiums and developing cricket infrastructure in the US. So 56 00:03:44,427 --> 00:03:48,947 Speaker 3: again sort of additional opportunities for us to earn revenue there. 57 00:03:49,667 --> 00:03:52,307 Speaker 3: And what it also means is, you know, there is 58 00:03:52,347 --> 00:03:56,387 Speaker 3: a pathway and an opportunity for our high performance team, 59 00:03:56,667 --> 00:04:02,707 Speaker 3: you know, coaches, managers, physios, et cetera, who actually go 60 00:04:02,787 --> 00:04:06,187 Speaker 3: and experience working in and building you know, an over 61 00:04:06,467 --> 00:04:10,027 Speaker 3: is franchise, and thereby that will also you know, although 62 00:04:10,067 --> 00:04:13,147 Speaker 3: there are no commitments around our players, they will need 63 00:04:13,187 --> 00:04:16,747 Speaker 3: to be separately contracted. There is an expectation that there 64 00:04:16,747 --> 00:04:20,667 Speaker 3: will be a very heavy New Zealand influence in this 65 00:04:20,867 --> 00:04:25,667 Speaker 3: particular franchise, just as there is becoming in the Major 66 00:04:25,747 --> 00:04:27,787 Speaker 3: League cricket across the board. 67 00:04:28,827 --> 00:04:32,067 Speaker 2: So just to clarify the revenue the seventh figure some 68 00:04:32,227 --> 00:04:36,267 Speaker 2: you talked about there, Scott who who pays New Zealand Cricket. 69 00:04:37,587 --> 00:04:40,827 Speaker 3: So the franchise will pay New Zealand Cricket for us 70 00:04:40,867 --> 00:04:46,907 Speaker 3: providing basically a high performance unit to the franchise, and 71 00:04:46,907 --> 00:04:49,107 Speaker 3: that high performance unit will be made up of New 72 00:04:49,187 --> 00:04:50,467 Speaker 3: Zealand Cricket staff. 73 00:04:52,027 --> 00:04:54,747 Speaker 2: So just coaches or does that include players as well? 74 00:04:55,747 --> 00:05:01,947 Speaker 3: No, it doesn't. That part doesn't include players. That includes coaches, managers, physios, 75 00:05:03,867 --> 00:05:09,307 Speaker 3: you know, psychologists, et cetera. The player element will be 76 00:05:09,347 --> 00:05:12,907 Speaker 3: on top of that. So if our players sign contracts 77 00:05:12,947 --> 00:05:15,827 Speaker 3: with that franchise, that'll be a separate arrangement. 78 00:05:16,587 --> 00:05:19,467 Speaker 2: Gotcha. Okay, so you just in a pardon the ignorance, 79 00:05:19,667 --> 00:05:21,467 Speaker 2: but I just want to make sure where we get 80 00:05:21,467 --> 00:05:26,227 Speaker 2: this right. So New Zealan Cricket, it's complicated, especially for 81 00:05:26,307 --> 00:05:29,507 Speaker 2: somebody like me me are so New Zealand Cricket hasn't 82 00:05:29,747 --> 00:05:31,747 Speaker 2: you haven't bought a stake in this team. 83 00:05:33,067 --> 00:05:37,987 Speaker 3: No, So, in addition to us providing those services, we 84 00:05:38,147 --> 00:05:41,187 Speaker 3: have an opportunity to buy a stake in the team, 85 00:05:42,067 --> 00:05:46,587 Speaker 3: and that and the the consideration for that for that 86 00:05:46,827 --> 00:05:49,387 Speaker 3: stake in the team will be a mixture of cash 87 00:05:49,467 --> 00:05:53,867 Speaker 3: that New Zealand Cricket puts up, but also part of 88 00:05:53,907 --> 00:05:58,107 Speaker 3: the payment for providing those high performances services will be 89 00:05:58,147 --> 00:06:01,347 Speaker 3: in the form of what what you term sweet equity. 90 00:06:01,907 --> 00:06:05,267 Speaker 3: So in other words, we'll be getting paid cash plus 91 00:06:05,307 --> 00:06:10,787 Speaker 3: equity to wide those services. Gotcha, So that is that 92 00:06:10,907 --> 00:06:12,027 Speaker 3: complicated warfare? 93 00:06:12,427 --> 00:06:14,627 Speaker 2: No, no, no, no, no, I no, I get that. 94 00:06:14,747 --> 00:06:17,467 Speaker 2: I get the generales. I mean as I say, I know, 95 00:06:17,587 --> 00:06:20,187 Speaker 2: I know, it's twofold. There's obviously the opportunity is about 96 00:06:20,187 --> 00:06:21,467 Speaker 2: for the players, which I'm going to chat about in 97 00:06:21,507 --> 00:06:24,787 Speaker 2: a sec. But yeah, so, so one we can tick 98 00:06:24,827 --> 00:06:28,547 Speaker 2: off is this is this is beneficial financially for New 99 00:06:28,667 --> 00:06:31,827 Speaker 2: Zealand Cricket. Let's get to the players. Yeah, I mean, 100 00:06:31,867 --> 00:06:34,587 Speaker 2: how many players do you foresee playing for the new franchise? 101 00:06:34,627 --> 00:06:37,307 Speaker 2: Will it be four or five? Half a dozen more? 102 00:06:38,587 --> 00:06:41,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean there can be a maximum five overseas 103 00:06:41,187 --> 00:06:46,267 Speaker 3: players in each EMIL team, So you know, there's no guarantee. 104 00:06:46,507 --> 00:06:48,587 Speaker 3: It might be that this franchise you know, wants to 105 00:06:48,627 --> 00:06:51,907 Speaker 3: have you know, some Australians playing as well. But you know, 106 00:06:52,027 --> 00:06:54,987 Speaker 3: our expectation is that there will be heavy New Zealand 107 00:06:55,067 --> 00:06:57,627 Speaker 3: influence because you know it's gonna be New Zealand coaches 108 00:06:57,667 --> 00:07:02,467 Speaker 3: and support stuff. We'll also be encouraging you know, New 109 00:07:02,547 --> 00:07:07,107 Speaker 3: Zealand players to play for other m l C franchises. 110 00:07:08,307 --> 00:07:10,467 Speaker 3: You know, this is not a New Zealand team so 111 00:07:10,587 --> 00:07:16,387 Speaker 3: to speak, but a New Zealand theme team. And the opportunity, 112 00:07:16,507 --> 00:07:19,787 Speaker 3: as we said, is to support Major League Cricket becoming 113 00:07:20,147 --> 00:07:23,867 Speaker 3: you know, a bigger and more lucrative tournament, thereby opening 114 00:07:23,987 --> 00:07:27,867 Speaker 3: up lots of opportunities for our players across the board 115 00:07:28,667 --> 00:07:32,467 Speaker 3: in you know, a bigger and more good tournament in 116 00:07:32,547 --> 00:07:36,387 Speaker 3: the time of the year that doesn't conflict with the 117 00:07:36,427 --> 00:07:37,627 Speaker 3: New Zealand home season. 118 00:07:38,667 --> 00:07:40,267 Speaker 2: That's the key. But at the end then isn't it. 119 00:07:40,347 --> 00:07:42,307 Speaker 2: That's the key bit there at the end that this 120 00:07:42,427 --> 00:07:45,507 Speaker 2: won't conflict with with players turning out in front of 121 00:07:45,507 --> 00:07:50,267 Speaker 2: New Zealand crowds during the New Zealand home summer exactly. 122 00:07:50,547 --> 00:07:53,267 Speaker 3: And the only time there would be a conflict is 123 00:07:53,587 --> 00:07:56,387 Speaker 3: when we're you know, potentially touring the West Indies or 124 00:07:56,467 --> 00:08:00,067 Speaker 3: England or you know, another country in the Northern Hemisphere, 125 00:08:00,627 --> 00:08:04,227 Speaker 3: at which point, if the Zealand players are essentrally contracted, 126 00:08:04,627 --> 00:08:07,907 Speaker 3: their obligations will be played for New Zealand first and foremost. 127 00:08:08,787 --> 00:08:12,187 Speaker 3: But otherwise, you know, we're again trying to create opportunities 128 00:08:12,187 --> 00:08:16,267 Speaker 3: for our players to play in leagues at times that 129 00:08:16,427 --> 00:08:19,867 Speaker 3: do not conflict with our summer and so thereby you know, 130 00:08:19,907 --> 00:08:21,827 Speaker 3: they are going to be in New Zealand playing for 131 00:08:21,867 --> 00:08:25,467 Speaker 3: New Zealand. We're playing for New Zealand mays in our summer. 132 00:08:26,427 --> 00:08:28,987 Speaker 2: Is there any danger that you're exposing more New Zealand 133 00:08:29,067 --> 00:08:33,307 Speaker 2: players to the eyeballs of other T twenty franchises and 134 00:08:33,387 --> 00:08:35,347 Speaker 2: competitions around the world. 135 00:08:36,867 --> 00:08:39,627 Speaker 3: I mean, look, the reality is that that's how it is. 136 00:08:39,907 --> 00:08:43,547 Speaker 3: We you know, we need to recognize that, you know, 137 00:08:43,627 --> 00:08:47,067 Speaker 3: New Zealand players are attractive to other leagues en franchises, 138 00:08:48,027 --> 00:08:52,107 Speaker 3: and look, we actively want to encourage that, we just 139 00:08:52,107 --> 00:08:54,507 Speaker 3: don't want to encourage it to the detriment of them 140 00:08:54,547 --> 00:08:58,987 Speaker 3: signing central contracts. So the best case scenario for us 141 00:08:59,707 --> 00:09:04,187 Speaker 3: is that players essentially contracted, but we are helping provide 142 00:09:04,187 --> 00:09:08,107 Speaker 3: them with other opportunities during parts of the year where 143 00:09:08,147 --> 00:09:11,547 Speaker 3: New Zealand is not playing to top up their earnings. 144 00:09:12,907 --> 00:09:16,227 Speaker 3: And it's fair to say, you know, back caps of 145 00:09:16,267 --> 00:09:18,787 Speaker 3: today and also the right turns, but particularly black Caps, 146 00:09:18,947 --> 00:09:22,747 Speaker 3: are you know, able to earn significant sums of money. 147 00:09:23,307 --> 00:09:26,667 Speaker 3: I've still being contracted to New Zealand because we give 148 00:09:26,707 --> 00:09:29,787 Speaker 3: them the opportunity to play in these overseas leagues as well. 149 00:09:31,427 --> 00:09:33,587 Speaker 2: What does this mean for the average New Zealand cricket fan, 150 00:09:33,667 --> 00:09:36,787 Speaker 2: Apart from obviously, you know, hopefully having most of our 151 00:09:36,787 --> 00:09:39,427 Speaker 2: best players playing in the home summer, That is that 152 00:09:39,467 --> 00:09:42,187 Speaker 2: the major benefit to the New Zealand cricket fan, the 153 00:09:42,227 --> 00:09:42,747 Speaker 2: average fan. 154 00:09:43,747 --> 00:09:46,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's and it's you know the fact that we're 155 00:09:46,427 --> 00:09:51,187 Speaker 3: generating extra revenue to basically invest in our game back 156 00:09:51,227 --> 00:09:54,907 Speaker 3: in New Zealand. So essentially, any revenue that we that 157 00:09:54,987 --> 00:09:59,067 Speaker 3: we get from this venture, whether it be by service revenue, 158 00:09:59,307 --> 00:10:03,987 Speaker 3: or dividends. Potentially we'll be getting invested back into New Zealand, 159 00:10:04,267 --> 00:10:07,707 Speaker 3: back into community cricket, back into into pathways, and back 160 00:10:07,707 --> 00:10:11,627 Speaker 3: into high performance. So that's that should be seen as 161 00:10:11,627 --> 00:10:14,907 Speaker 3: a huge benefit for our fans. Also, you know, we'd 162 00:10:14,947 --> 00:10:17,307 Speaker 3: like to think it will create a bit of an 163 00:10:17,307 --> 00:10:20,827 Speaker 3: interest in you know, this franchise in Major League cricket 164 00:10:20,827 --> 00:10:24,107 Speaker 3: and also Major League Cricket itself. You know that was 165 00:10:24,147 --> 00:10:29,027 Speaker 3: shown on Sky last season and the timing of Major 166 00:10:29,107 --> 00:10:32,107 Speaker 3: League Cricket is actually pretty good for New Zealm cricket fans. 167 00:10:33,387 --> 00:10:34,827 Speaker 2: We don't know where it's going to be based. 168 00:10:34,707 --> 00:10:40,147 Speaker 3: Yet, no, I mean the two for twenty twenty seven, 169 00:10:40,787 --> 00:10:44,907 Speaker 3: the two places are potentially talking about Toronto or Atlanta 170 00:10:45,787 --> 00:10:50,787 Speaker 3: and actually Las Vegas as been mentioned, so that's still 171 00:10:50,787 --> 00:10:55,227 Speaker 3: to be confirmed. Twenty thirty one. I think there's a 172 00:10:55,267 --> 00:10:57,987 Speaker 3: strong desire for that to be in San Francisco, but 173 00:10:58,107 --> 00:11:01,067 Speaker 3: again that's you know, that's all still be established. The 174 00:11:01,147 --> 00:11:03,627 Speaker 3: key point is it needs to be in a major 175 00:11:04,187 --> 00:11:09,907 Speaker 3: metropolitan area in North America to make it work. 176 00:11:11,187 --> 00:11:12,587 Speaker 2: Scott, I know you've done a lot of media this 177 00:11:12,627 --> 00:11:14,707 Speaker 2: week and explain this to a number of people. Thanks 178 00:11:15,067 --> 00:11:17,267 Speaker 2: for explaining it. To our audience this afternoon, and we 179 00:11:17,347 --> 00:11:20,347 Speaker 2: look forward to tracking the progress towards twenty twenty seven. 180 00:11:20,347 --> 00:11:22,987 Speaker 2: Thanks for your time, as always my pleasure. 181 00:11:23,107 --> 00:11:24,467 Speaker 3: Thanks s having me on as always 182 00:11:25,267 --> 00:11:28,427 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 183 00:11:28,547 --> 00:11:31,947 Speaker 1: to news talks b weekends from midday, or follow the 184 00:11:31,987 --> 00:11:33,507 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio