New Zealand Cricket secures Pitch International rights deal

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has signed a long-term sponsorship and media rights agreement with Pitch International, with the organisation claiming the deal will "safeguard" the future of the sport in the country.

Media rights agency Pitch has secured all of NZC's media rights for international matches played by the national team in New Zealand for the 2012-13 to 2019-20 seasons.

The agreement grants Pitch the worldwide rights to distribute the matches across various platforms including television, radio, mobile and internet, while NZC retains the rights to matches broadcast in New Zealand, along with its domestic competitions.

NZC stated that an attractive Future Tours Programme, the scheme that organises cricket's global calendar, had helped to secure the deal, with New Zealand set to host all of the world's leading teams, including India and Australia twice and England three times, over the next eight years.

NZC Chief Executive David White explains "New Zealand Cricket is delighted to secure the length and value of this extremely important relationship with Pitch.

"We are thrilled that Pitch will be helping put the Blackcaps in front of so many fans around the world.

"This agreement puts NZC in a position to safeguard the future of our game by allowing us to concentrate on driving participation and support of cricket. Media rights provide revenue that enables us to fund grassroots and community cricket investments, domestic cricket competitions and retain our best professional players in New Zealand."

Pitch International founding partner Jon Owen added "we are delighted to announce this exciting partnership with NZ Cricket. We look forward to representing the Blackcaps brand around the world and building long-term value for New Zealand Cricket and its commercial partners."

For more information go to www.blackcaps.co.nz/