The party wants to put major domestic sporting fixtures, World Cup matches and transtasman grand finals involving New Zealand teams back on free-to-air television and live. Out sporting successes, especially on the international stage, foster a sense of national pride. The impact in the long term could be that a generation of young people, whose parents do not subscribe to a paid television service, may stop following their national teams. They may no longer be inspired by or aspire to be All Blacks, Black Caps or Silver Ferns. In the professional era, the organisations behind these teams need to generate money but these are national sides not just brands - and they need to connect with their fans.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 01, 2017 05:01 UTC