$65.3m pay deal meets with all-round approval

New Zealand’s leading men’s cricketers will be paid from a forecast pool of $65.3 million over the next four years after they signed a new Master Agreement with their governing body.

New Zealand Cricket confirmed yesterday the completion of the new agreement governing the professional men’s game, starting next Wednesday and running until July 31, 2022. It is based on a return to a fixed-revenue share model, through which the players will receive 26.5 per cent of revenue generated from professional cricket.

Over the four-year term, this is forecast to be $65.3m, an increase of approximately 16 per cent on the past four years of the previous agreement.

Additionally, the player payment pool will receive 30 per cent of professional revenue over and above the forecasted amount.

The new agreement includes a slight change to the contracting process, with NZC’s annual Black Caps central contracts being reduced by one (from 21 to 20) and the number of annual domestic contracts for each major association increasing by one (from 15 to 16).

There is a change to domestic cricket’s schedule, with Plunket Shield being cut by two rounds from 10 to eight, and the 50-over Ford Trophy increasing from eight to 10, whereby each side plays the other twice.

An expanded New Zealand A programme is also part of the deal, with NZA set to play Pakistan A in the United Arab Emirates in October, and host India A in December.

The agreement 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.

Negotiations went smoothly, a far cry from the bitter Cricket Australia process with its top players last year, or the 2002 standoff in New Zealand which had players poised to strike.

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

New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association chief executive Heath Mills said the new agreement ensured a significant investment back into the game at all levels and importantly, recognised and rewarded the contribution of the players.

‘‘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.’’

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

Heath Mills, Players Association