NZC has terminated its franchise partnership with True North Sports Ventures, thereby withdrawing from an agreement that was designed to facilitate the establishment of an MLC team in 2027. Approximately 18 months after the agreement was initially announced in April 2025, the two parties mutually consented to part ways on October 21, 2026.
The initial partnership was designed to provide NZC with operational support and high-performance capabilities for the introduction of the MLC franchise. Additionally, NZC maintained the option to invest in and provide support for a second MLC team in 2031 under those initial terms. Toronto, Atlanta, and Las Vegas were among the potential host cities for the franchise. The withdrawal was confirmed by NZC CEO Geoff Allott, who assumed the position in July 2026.
The decision was ultimately determined by the location in which NZC believed its resources and attention were most urgently required, as Allott made it abundantly clear. The board determined that the appropriate course of action was to focus energy on opportunities within New Zealand and to establish a more robust domestic high-performance environment after conducting a more thorough assessment. The exit is indicative of a deliberate change in organizational priorities, rather than a collapse in the relationship with the franchise or its supporters.
Allott also expressed gratitude to Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan, co-founders of MLC, for the chance to investigate the venture.
NZC has confirmed its intention to maintain open communication channels with both Mehta and Srinivasan in the future.
What are the implications of the exit for True North Sports Ventures and the MLC franchise?
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The MLC franchise initiative is under the complete control of True North Sports Ventures, which is continuing to independently work toward the 2027 launch. The financial foundation of the franchise remains unaffected by the withdrawal, as NZC did not make any capital investment in the partnership.
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