Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Sport Nation
Motorsport
Netball
Basketball
Combat Sports
Olympics
Other Sports
'It’s not a disaster': Geoff Allott fronts on NZ Cricket deficit
Sport Nation • August 20th, 2026 6:36 pm
Geoff Allott at NZC | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
New Zealand Cricket boss Geoff Allott has fronted up over the organisation’s $7.3 million deficit, admitting the result was disappointing but insisting it is not a disaster.
Speaking with Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy, Allott said the majority of the shortfall came from income being received in an earlier financial period, then incorrectly budgeted to carry into the latest year.
“Largely, it’s through some budgeting errors at our end, which we’ve got to put our hand up and own as an organisation,” Allott said.
“It’s not ideal, as I say, but it’s not a disaster.”
The issue was only uncovered as New Zealand Cricket closed out its accounts, with Allott describing it as a symptom of a difficult period for the organisation.
“It was really a symptom of a really difficult period that New Zealand Cricket was facing, and then a matter of a new set of eyes and a lens coming across.”
Allott said the money had already been received, meaning the problem was not lost income but when it was accounted for.
“It’s not lost revenue from New Zealand Cricket. We received all those monies. It’s just that they were accounted for in a different period.”
Despite the deficit, Allott said NZC was determined to avoid knee-jerk decisions that could compromise high-performance programmes, players or the wider cricket network.
However, he confirmed some tough calls had been made around the 2027 budget, with Super Smash one area facing change.
Allott believes the proposed NZ20 competition could offer a more sustainable future for domestic cricket.
“A competition like NZ20 can materially, positively impact both New Zealand Cricket and, in fact, cricket in New Zealand.”
He also discussed making the financial gains from India’s upcoming tour last across the next four to five years, whether international cricket has become too reliant on India, the possibility of free-to-air coverage, exchange rates and future revenue opportunities.
Allott declined to comment when asked whether the deficit was linked to the payout of former chief executive Scott Weenink.
Listen to the full interview below:
