Netball: TVNZ wins netball rights

Top netball players are not expected to get big pay increases from Netball New Zealand's four-year deal with Television New Zealand.

Netball NZ yesterday announced that TVNZ had edged out Sky Television for an undisclosed sum and won the rights to screen all netball for the next four years.

Netball NZ board chairwoman Kereyn Smith said TVNZ responded to what was a "competitive environment".

It is understood TVNZ had to offer significantly more than it had in the past to secure the rights. However the players will not be the only beneficiaries as the organisation looks to develop all areas of the game.

"It was close. The competition was strong. It wasn't only a two-horse race ... there were other broadcasters interested in it.

"I think that was a really exciting thing ... what we are seeing is that it is a sport that is valued both in terms of entertainment and as a game to watch," Smith said.

"We think that was pretty heartening for the sport." She said accessibility for the audience, increased coverage, the ability to aid the growth of the sport and a reasonable financial package were the key elements Netball NZ was looking for in a rights holder.

TVNZ, whose relationship with Netball NZ spans more than a decade, will double the number of National Bank Cup games its screens next year from one a week to two a week. It is also understood TVNZ had to bump up its financial offer to match that of Sky.

But it is not clear how much cash will flow down to the players.

Netball is regarded as a semi-professional sport.

The players are paid by the franchises to play in the National Bank Cup.

The top players also receive money from Netball NZ for international series.

It is estimated that most Silver Fern players would be lucky to end the year with $10,000 to $15,000, all up.

"Obviously the players will be one of the beneficiaries of this commercial arrangement," Smith said.

"But it won't only be the players. We have had in place since 1999 a really strong game plan for netball and it is around developing all of the people involved in the game.

"The players are obviously really important but alongside that are coaches and umpires and administrators," she said.

"What this really means is that we can implement that [plan] at a faster pace."

The deal

Four-year term.

More National Bank Cup matches.

More money, although amount not disclosed.

Netball TV ratings

787,000 watched NZ v Australia final test on July 5.

An average of 313,400 people watched test netball this year.