Beatson in tears after Netball NZ confirm private league
Netball New Zealand has announced a new professional domestic league starting next year, backed by private investors. The move has sparked emotional reactions from players due to the uncertainty regarding team structures and the potential for existing franchises to be culled.
Why it matters
The shift toward a private ownership model in a traditionally community-governed sport marks a significant change in the professionalization and commercialization of women's sports in New Zealand.
Northern Mystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson broke down in tears at the announcement New Zealand will have a professional domestic netball competition next year.
Netball New Zealand (NNZ) have signed a non-binding term sheet with rich-listers Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams for a private league starting next year.
The parties have agreed to a minimum of five teams in the new competition, meaning one of the six current franchises – the Mystics, Stars, Magic, Pulse, Tactix and Steel – could be culled.
Auckland FC investors Mowbray and Williams will determine the competition format, the team structure and the season dates.
The long-form agreement would see the licence for the competition and competing teams held by the investors, with NNZ assuming a governance role on a new board tasked with controlling the new league.
Player terms would be determined through collective bargaining with the New Zealand Netball Players’ Association (NZNPA).
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in