Fears are growing that netball faces an existential threat, when Sky's broadcasting rights expire at the end of the 2024 season.
Those close to negotiatons are warning Sky has pitched a low-balled offer to renew its rights, which could halve the sport's revenue in New Zealand.
Sky is the home of televised netball, but the broadcaster is reportedly not being so accomodating, as it negotiates the latest rights deal with Netball NZ.
"This is as serious as it gets," says Spinoff founder Duncan Greive. "This is exestential for the professional netball competition."
Insiders have told Radio New Zealand that Sky's bid for the ANZ Premiership and Silver Ferns tests is "less than half" its current deal.
"TV rights are by the far the largest funder - ahead of sponsership, ahead of gatesales - for professional sports," said Greive. "If you halve the income you get from sports rights, you probably call into question whether the sport's even viable."
Sky declined Newshub's request for an interview, but in a statement, it says negotiations with content partners are confidential and commercially sensitive, and it won't be commenting on them publically. Netball NZ has declined request for both an interview or a statement.
Netball coach and former Silver Fern Margaret Foster says Sky's not a charity and Netball NZ needs to find a way to bring more eyeballs to the sport .
"How are we making our game sassy?" she quizzed Newshub. "Is it connecting in with the Australian franchises and having some sort of mini tournament midway through your season?"
Fosters remains hopeful New Zealand netball will get a good deal.
"Fingers crossed, we'll go 'wahoo' and Sky is going to go 'yes, OK... let's sit at the table'."
If they don't, netball could be in for a drastic shake-up in the near future.
