NZ cricket agree to 26.5% revenue share with players in master agreement

New Zealand Cricket and New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) have agreed to a new four-year revenue-sharing model.

The master agreement, which came to conclusion on Thursday after nine months of negotiation, will see cricketers getting 26.5% share in the cricket board’s revenue.

The agreement, which will begin on August 1, 2018, through to July 31, 2022, is estimated to be worth $65.3m in revenue, an increase of 16% on the past four years.

On top of that, the Player Payment Pool will receive 30% of professional revenue over and above the forecast amount.

NZC chief executive David White said the Master Agreement negotiations were a demonstration of the ongoing goodwill between all parties.

“I just want to congratulate everyone involved in the constructive manner in which the entire process was conducted,” he said.

“It was evident throughout that all parties shared a common interest in striking an agreement that was fair, progressive and good for the overall game in New Zealand.

“There has been a strong and robust discussion throughout the process, as you’d expect with such a significant document – but the overall tone has been one of cooperation.”

For the upcoming season, the Black Caps’ annual retainers will be $236,000 for the top-ranked player, dropping in increments to $100,000 for those ranked 18 to 20.

Match fees will be $9000 per test, $4000 per one-day international and $2500 per Twenty20 international.

It also incorporates increased funding for professional development programmes; the establishment of a health and well-being initiative for past players; and a forecast investment of $2.85m into the cricketers’ retirement fund over the four-year term.

NZCPA chief executive Heath Mills said, “I’d like to acknowledge the spirit in which NZC and the Major Associations entered the negotiation process.”

“At all times, we’ve felt respected and treated as an important and valued stakeholder in the sport.

“It’s great to see all parties so well aligned and moving in the same direction.”

The Memorandum of Understanding governing the professional women’s game expires on July 31, 2019, and discussions will commence shortly on a new agreement – with a view to it running concurrently with, and expiring at the same time as, the new men’s agreement.