“We’re not going to discuss the commercial arrangements but we’ve got a lot of comfort that what we’re doing is going to allow us to reach new markets and be accessible to all our fans.”
The new 30-match format will be a two-round, home-and-away structure with two finals fixtures, meaning teams play one another twice instead of three times in the regular season.
“That’s based on a whole lot of research and feedback from players, coaches and management around how we have the optimal framework for the competition going forward,” said Wyllie.
The New Zealand Netball Players’ Association has expressed sadness at the short-term nature of the new broadcast deal.
Players’ Association boss Steph Bond said while there is some relief, the future of the competition beyond 2026 remains up in the air.
“I guess it’s a little disappointing it is only one year, but at the same time it has now given the players some certainty for the next 18 months,” she said. “Now it really does provide an opportunity for the sport and Sky to look closely at how we shape the future of the game.”
Wyllie said NNZ wanted to think further ahead, but needed to give clarity for 2025.
“We have gated the discussions and have a programme of work with our partners for what 2026 and beyond will look like, over the next six months.”
The Players’ Association is in support of reducing the ANZ Premiership’s length by a third. Bond said the financial impact on the players is yet to be determined, but the move makes sense.
“A two-round competition is actually probably better from a fan perspective and potentially from a player perspective too because playing a team three times can potentially not be that entertaining.”
Wyllie has revealed Netball New Zealand has had talks with Netball Australia about merging the ANZ Premiership with Super Netball.
Reports emerged of the governing body asking for three franchise licences, which - if granted - would end New Zealand’s domestic competition as we know it.
Wyllie said the talks with Netball Australia have not gone very far.
“We talk with them about a raft of things and certainly our domestic product is one of those, but it’s certainly not a conversation that we’ve delved into any depth with them on.”
Bond said the Players’ Association has refused to properly contemplate a merger this far out from 2026.
“It’s too early to say if we’re in support of that. I don’t even think it’s an option that’s sitting right on the table at the moment, so it’s something I think will play out over the next 18 months.”
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. Limm covered the Netball World Cup in South Africa, the World Rally Championship in New Zealand, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates Super Rugby Pacific and NPC. Growing up, he was never far from the footy field or the cricket nets and fostered a deep passion for sports media and broadcasting.
