TNZ boss Grant Dalton told NewsTalk ZB's Martin Devlin he was shocked by Ainslie's backing and said other teams struggle to see how they can compete.
Emirates Team New Zealand helmed by Peter Burling in action last year. Photo / Getty Images
"About four of the smaller teams are looking at that and going, 'wow, this is a big mountain to climb'," Dalton said. "It's a lot of money…that would have done the last two and a half campaigns for Emirates Team New Zealand."
Dalton is in negotiations with the other teams and said Team NZ is willing to assist them with design and set up, but insists that money isn't everything.
Peter Burling and Grant Dalton celebrate with the Americas Cup. Photo / Getty Images
"My answer to them is to use the Emirates Team New Zealand example, we were always the smaller team and look what you can do in a lot of cases half the resource.
"We've shown that David can beat Goliath, and can beat him well if you make smart decisions," he said.
Dalton added that it was hard to find legitimate sponsorships in the sailing market, but Team NZ should be in the clear with a budget similar with the Bermuda campaign.
He also questioned if there was too much strain on teams with the deadline when, in reality, there's only space at the Auckland hub for six teams' bases.
"It might be that we put the pressure on a little early and they need more time," Dalton said.
"I think that late entry period right till the end of the year certainly gives these other teams more time.
"But in the end, there's one thing, we can only actually - in terms of the facilities - we can only take two more teams anyway."
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