Netball New Zealand is in talks with at least one private investor about establishing a new franchise league in 2028, in what would be a significant shake-up of the elite domestic game.RNZ understands the national body is exploring a private ownership model for the ANZ Premiership, as part of efforts to secure the long-term future of the game.A source with knowledge of the talks told RNZ "a high net-worth family" with sporting links has held discussions with Netball NZ about taking over the licence to run the league. It is believed Silver Ferns greats Adine Wilson and Anna Stanley were involved in bringing the investor to the table.Details of the proposal remain closely guarded, with both parties understood to have signed non-disclosure agreements while due diligence is carried out.However, it is understood the model being explored would see the competition run independently of Netball NZ, with private ownership taking responsibility for the league's commercial and operational arrangements.Netball NZ officials, including chairman Alastair Carruthers and interim chief executive Jane Patterson, were unavailable for comment on Wednesday. Both are travelling home from the United Kingdom following the Silver Ferns' gold medal-winning campaign at the Commonwealth Games.However, addressing speculation about the future of the domestic competition last month, Carruthers acknowledged private investment was "an area the board is very interested in"."It's not an obvious possibility for 2027, but I think all forms of investment into our league has to be looked at," he said.The Silver Ferns' stunning win over Jamaica in Monday's gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games underlined the strength in the game in New Zealand.www.photosport.nzThe news Netball NZ officials are engaging in talks with private investors is a hopeful sign amid increasing concerns over the future of the domestic game.Without a broadcast deal in place for 2027, the national body is yet to commit to running a competition next season as it faces losses of up to $6 million for the financial year - about $3.7m of which can be chalked up to the cost of running the ANZ Premiership this year.The financial strain has fuelled questions over whether the current model is sustainable, with at least some form of privatisation increasingly seen as the only way forward.New Zealand Netball Players' Association boss Pippa Moore said the athlete body are open to considering significant changes if they helped secure the future of the domestic game."We are open to considering all credible options, including private investment, that can better unlock netball's commercial value," Moore said in a statement."Any future model must provide a strong domestic competition, meaningful professional opportunities for New Zealand players, and a clear pathway that ensures future generations can aspire to play at the highest level."But with the privately backed proposal understood to target a 2028 launch, it leaves New Zealand's top players in limbo over whether they will have a professional contract next year.Mystics defender Phoenix Karaka defends Georgia Heffernan's shot at goal in the ANZ Premiership grand final.Shane Wenzlick / Photosport.nzGiven the ongoing uncertainty the players are facing, Netball NZ last month scrapped the final restrictions preventing Silver Ferns and other leading players from pursuing contracts in Australia and the UK, removing the requirement for athletes to receive a dispensation from Netball NZ before signing with overseas clubs.As Netball NZ battles to secure broadcast and commercial investment for 2027, one high-profile netball identity told RNZ that Netball NZ was treating next season as a "bridging year" while it works towards a new competition model in 2028.The source said options under consideration for next season included pausing the ANZ Premiership for a season or reverting to an amateur competition. The source warned either option risked accelerating the exodus of New Zealand's best players overseas, leaving little foundation on which to relaunch a professional competition in 2028.However, speaking to media last month, Carruthers was emphatic that there would be a domestic competition next season.