"Professionalism has changed rugby ... it is a money-making organisation. We had inklings about 18 months ago when the schedule came out for last year's England tour and their only other game apart from two tests was a match against the Crusaders."
Mahony pointed out if a provincial side had been awarded a game against the Lions they would not have been able to call on Super players as the tour takes place in June when Super Rugby is still in full swing.
Former Hawke's Bay Magpies coach and player Graeme Taylor was equally disappointed. He coached the last Magpies team to play the Lions, the 1993 side which won 29-17 at McLean Park, and was hoping to organise a reunion of that team to coincide with a 2017 clash at the same venue.
"That won't happen and it looks like it won't in the future either ... it's pretty disappointing the provinces have missed out," Taylor said.
A Napier City Council councillor, Taylor played for the combined Counties-Thames Valley team against the Lions in 1977.
"Back then all provincial players talked about was wanting to play against the Lions or South Africa and that is still the case today."
A former Hurricanes assistant coach, Taylor agreed Napier could have hosted the Canes against the Lions as Wellington hosts one of the three tests.
"Up until this year's semifinal and final at the Cake Tin, Napier got the biggest crowds for Hurricanes matches. I remember when we played the Lions in 1993, McLean Park was packed.
"It remains to be seen whether Hawke's Bay people travel to Rotorua or Wellington in big numbers."
Taylor and Mahony agreed 10-match Lions tours will become the norm from 2017. Gone are the days of the 25-game or 23-match tours as was the case in 1977 and 1971 respectively.
The 2017 tour will be the Lions first of New Zealand since 2005 when they played 11 games.
"The British & Irish Lions Tour is one of those very special events for any rugby fan and we all remember how the 2005 series captivated this country. The 2017 series is likely to be one of the most significant sporting events our country has hosted since Rugby World Cup 2011 and perhaps the biggest New Zealand will host for some time," said New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew.
"The series will feature matches throughout New Zealand and, in addition to 10 All Blacks tests in 2016 and 2017, there'll be enormous opportunity for the whole country to not only enjoy quality international rugby, but to also share in the economic benefits that the matches present.
"More than 20,000 Lions supporters travelled to New Zealand in 2005, generating more than $135 million in benefits - we're confident the 2017 Series will exceed these figures."
Many potential Lions will get a look at New Zealand with the Wales team which will play three tests in New Zealand next year.
TOUR SCHEDULE
The British and Irish Tour of New Zealand:
June 3: v Provincial Union Team, Toll Stadium, Whangarei.
June 7: v Blues, Eden Park, Auckland.
June 10: v Crusaders, AMI Stadium, Christchurch.
June 13: v Highlanders, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
June 17: v Maori All Blacks, Rotorua International Stadium.
June 20: v Chiefs, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
June 24: v All Blacks (1st test), Eden Park, Auckland
June 27: v Hurricanes, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
July 1: v All Blacks (2nd test), Westpac Stadium, Wellington
July 8: v All Blacks (3rd test), Eden Park, Auckland.
