Let's not underestimate just how bold Netball New Zealand's decision is to hand control of the ANZ Premiership to private investors.

To be fair, the netball bosses have probably had little choice. The sport was heading towards ruin in this country without outside help.

Eighteen of our best players have signed contracts to play in overseas competitions next year. That includes almost the entire Silver Ferns squad that went to the Commonwealth Games, with the exception of just two players, one of whom has suffered an ACL injury.

No broadcaster wanted to put netball on television without Netball New Zealand covering the production costs. And in a single season, Netball New Zealand lost $3.7 million simply trying to keep the engine running.

This could not continue much longer. Probably not even for another year. That's why the netball bosses have likely had no real option but to let private money take over.

But the fact their backs were against the wall doesn't detract from how bold this decision is.

Netball is the first of our traditional sports to truly pull the trigger on handing control to private interests.

You could argue rugby went first with Super Rugby, but rugby's administrators never really ceded much control. In fact, they didn't give up any meaningful control at all.

You could also argue cricket got there earlier with the T20 deal announced this year. But we don't know the full details of that arrangement, if the parties themselves even do. And that competition isn't due to start until January 2028, whereas this netball deal has to be finalised within weeks.

The licence will soon be handed over to Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray. It's happening.

This is the beginning of the privatisation of our traditional sports.

Netball has probably been forced to move first because it's in the greatest financial trouble. But that may also prove to be its silver lining. Going first means getting the money first.

And not just the money. It also means gaining the commercial expertise of successful business people such as Anna Mowbray.

Don't underestimate the value of that.

Here's hoping it works.

Frankly, it probably couldn't have gone much worse than where it was headed.

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