September 19, 2025 • 11 mins
The BNZ Breakers are under new ownership.
Kiwi-American attorney and businessman Marc Mitchell has taken majority ownership from Matt Walsh.
The ownership group includes Kiwi businessmen Leon and Stephen Grice, their business partner Sean Colgan, along with former owners Liz and Paul Blackwell, and former Breaker and Tall Black Tom Abercrombie.
Mitchell told Piney he saw the opportunity to continue to grow the sport, not only on the court, but also within the community.
He says they’re trying to get back to their roots.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Now, the New Zealand Breakers have been beaten in their
Australian National Basketball League season opener at Spark Arena. Adams
on the drive two seconds Brazer and he'll cash it.
And is that the dagger in the hearts of the
New Zealand Breakers. Now, this one's gonna wrap up. Thank
(00:34):
you a nine point when.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
To the brisbod Bullets the way they wanted to start
NBL twenty six as.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
They look to build up on their efforts last year. Yeah,
the Breaker is going down one O four to ninety
five to the Brisbane Bullets. Last night. The Breakers joint
top scorers with sixteen were American guards Parker Jackson Cartwright
and debutant Isaiah Brockington. It's quick turnaround for the team.
They travel today to play Melbourne United tomorrow afternoon in
their second match. The Breakers are of course under new
(01:02):
ownership Kiwe. American attorney and businessman Mark Mitchell is now
the majority owner of the club after completing the purchase
from Matt Walsh's US based group back in March. His
investment group also includes successful key We entrepreneurs the Gris brothers,
Leon and Stephen, their business partner Sean Colgan, as well
as former club owners Paul and Liz Blackwell and ex
(01:25):
Breaker and Toll Black, Tom Abercrombie and another club legend,
Dylan Boucher is the president of basketball Operations. Mark Mitchell
is with us. Mark, you were a lower level investor
under the previous ownership, So what leads you to seek
to take a majority stake in the Breakers.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Well, it's great to be with you and thanks for
having me.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
I think it was a lot of things to do
with New Zealand, with the region, with the growth of
the game. I saw the opportunity to continue to grow
the sport and what we can do not only on
the court but in the community. I think that's really
important and that's what we're trying to get back to.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
With our roots. So for me, it was a lot
of things.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
And you know, being the team for New Zealand as
a as a country as a whole was so attractive.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
You say, get back to that. Do you think the
club had moved away from that under the previous ownership group.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
I believe so, you know, and and again you know,
we're thinking about the future.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
We're thinking about.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Where we're going and trying to do it our way. So,
you know, I think the proofs in the pudding. We
are going to deliver on the promises that we're making,
and you know, the passes the past, but we're looking
towards the future.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
How can were you to reintegrate the likes of the Blackwells,
Tom Ebercrombie, Dylan Boucher, names synonymous with the basketball club
in its past successes.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
It was hugely important when you have success on the
court and off the court and build culture that's so successful.
So in the way that they've done this in the
early two thousands with the championships, with being role models
in the community and for New Zealand youth, that was important.
And every single person who you mentioned, they're great people,
(03:16):
they're great competitors, they're successful, but they all wanted to
be a part of this. They all understood what we're
trying to build. So for me, it would be silly
to not use those relationships and bring those people aboard.
And so I'm very happy with the group that I
put together, and you know, we're just getting started as
far as that goes. But to really have that foundation
(03:41):
is we started in a really great place because of that.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
What is your vision for the Breakers long term?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Again, we represent the entire country, so to be the
country's team in the league and the NBL, but to
the world.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
For us too, it's about leading.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
In the sport in general, so from grassroots all the
way to the professional level. So in between that you
have all of the youth programs and junior Breakers, but
we're going to bring back the Breakers Academy as well.
And you know, we have a nice partnership as well
with Basketball New Zealand and the Tall Blacks. I understand
the importance of making sure that the sport grows as
(04:22):
a whole. We will all benefit from that. So there's
a lot of crossover as you know, with Dylan Boucher
being our president of Basketball Operations and the former CEO
of Basketball in New Zealand, but Jed Flavell as our
associate head coach, so many of our players playing for
the Tall Blacks. So to grow the game and for
New Zealand to be successful both as a national team
(04:44):
but also at a professional level in the NBL.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I want to talk a bit more about the community
stuff on the moment, Mike, But how important is that
the team just wins basketball games?
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Very That's where it all begins. We're here to win,
you know.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
I think we put together a very competitive team in
a very competitive league, but it all starts there.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
You know.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
That's what keeps people interested. You know, we've got great
fans in their diehards, but we all want to win.
That's where we start, and that's the conversation every day
in our facility.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Imports are obviously important to any roster in the Australia
National Basketball League and Pockajackson cat right, you've got one
of the best, a couple of debutants last night as well.
But how important is a strong Kiwi flavor on your roster.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
It's been really important, I think, you know, I defer
to Dylan on basketball decisions. He is really great at
his job. But one of the things that we talked
about very early was pinning back to that Kiwi core.
I told the story to our team at our jersey blessing.
(05:52):
I had a conversation with a former executive of one
of the NBL teams in Australia and he said to me,
you know, I probably shouldn't tell you this, but when
we used to play you guys, we were a little
bit scared.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
And I said, well, what do you mean by that?
Speaker 3 (06:05):
He said, well, when New Zealand played, they were playing
for something different.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
They were playing with the chip on their shoulder.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
They were playing for the entire country and a level
of pride that we didn't see with the other teams.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
And I found that to be so interesting.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
I think it's an advantage that we have with our
Kiwi Core, and so you know, we want to, like
I said, build the game, but I think build the
game in the country.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
But I think it's really important.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
As we've built this Kiwi Core, it actually gives us
a competitive advantage.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Do you think the plaiers realize that? Do you think
they realized that the ky wekness is a superpeller?
Speaker 4 (06:41):
You nailed the word. That's the word that I use.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I said, putting this jersey on is a superpower. And
I think that they agree. And I think we have
high level leadership. Uh you know from our Kiwis. We
also have a bunch of young Kiwis, so you know,
I think everybody understands that, and everybody plays with the
level of Pride because they're representing the country.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
I guess it's easy to quantify on quote success with
you know, with results and stats and things like that,
but how do you quantify off court success the community stuff?
You were talking about, what does off court success look
like for the Breakers?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Well, it's funny, you know, we're now speaking a day
after the morning after a game. I got a text
this morning from someone who was at the game and
he said, I don't know what success looks like, but
you should look at this video.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
And there's a video of his daughter.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Shooting hoops in their yard and he said, this is
what she's been doing all morning.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
They were at the game last night. She's obviously inspired.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
And success comes in a lot of different ways, but
that's one of them. Can we touch the youth, can
we be examples, can we be out in the community,
and can we grow the game?
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Do you see a tom when there's a women's team?
Speaker 3 (07:50):
I would love that, And so, you know, I think
there's a couple levels to look at that.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
There's obviously domestic, there's a league.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
And that's growing, and then the WNBL as well is
just getting its legs under itself. I think that is
something in the future that I absolutely want to have
as part of our program, and so as the opportunities
grow in the region, it's always something that we'll be
looking to add.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Would you describe yourself as a hands on owner of
this club.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
I am very involved, but I've hired great people and
you know, they are empowered to do their jobs. And
I feel really wonderful about our staff, our front office
and the playing can continue as well, and the coaching staff,
I mean all phases.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
I think we've gotten some.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Great people who are very talented but also good folks.
So for me, you know, it's about setting the vision.
I'm in touch with everybody all the time, but I'll
never micro manage folks.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
An the result you're after last night to start the season,
but it's only the first game. What did you make
of last night?
Speaker 3 (09:06):
Well, as a as a basketball fan, Uh, you know,
we can only shoot better than we did last night,
so I'm actually encouraged. You know, we played pretty well
with the shots just didn't fall. I will tell you this,
it is very different watching it from this perspective as
the owner of a team is quite nerve wracking. So
(09:27):
it was a fun time, you know, the atmosphere in
the arena was great. But I think, you know, for
the first game, not a bad start. We have things
obviously on the court we we're going to keep working on,
but are very confident in our team and in our
coaching staff that you know will continue to be very
competitive in every game in this league, like I mentioned,
(09:47):
is so competitive top to bottom.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
But you know we'll be right there.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
You've landed on a real string point. I've actually wondered that,
you know, what's so much skin on the game, you know,
being the owner of this club, Now, are you able
to actually enjoy a game of basketball that the brek
is applying? What do you do?
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Well?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
You just sitting there with a nought in your stomach
the whole time to be determined.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Last night it was more of a not in the
stomach scenario. So you know, hopefully we'll ease into this.
I told my wife last night, I said, I don't
know if I can do this thirty two times, you know,
because it is very stressful. You want what's best for
the guys, and you want that result that everybody wants,
which is to win.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
So we'll see. We'll see how I do.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
But like I said, It's a new experience, but one
that I'm embracing a bit.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Sounds like it. Great to have the new season underway.
Great to have you at the hell Mark. Thanks for
joining us. Look forward to catching up across the season
again sometime.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Thank you so much. Look forward to talking again.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Yes I do. I make thanks today. Mike Mitchell there,
majority owner of the Breakers. So we lost last night
one four ninety five to the Brisbane Bullets, but no
time to really dwell on that. Off they go to
Melbourne where tomorrow afternoon they'll play Melbourne United. Next home
game is next Saturday at Beckett Sparker in obviously against
(11:01):
against the Perth Worldcats.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
News Talks it B weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Now, the New Zealand Breakers have been beaten in their
Australian National Basketball League season opener at Spark Arena. Adams
on the drive two seconds Brazer and he'll cash it.
And is that the dagger in the hearts of the
New Zealand Breakers. Now, this one's gonna wrap up. Thank
(00:34):
you a nine point when.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
To the brisbod Bullets the way they wanted to start
NBL twenty six as.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
They look to build up on their efforts last year. Yeah,
the Breaker is going down one O four to ninety
five to the Brisbane Bullets. Last night. The Breakers joint
top scorers with sixteen were American guards Parker Jackson Cartwright
and debutant Isaiah Brockington. It's quick turnaround for the team.
They travel today to play Melbourne United tomorrow afternoon in
their second match. The Breakers are of course under new
(01:02):
ownership Kiwe. American attorney and businessman Mark Mitchell is now
the majority owner of the club after completing the purchase
from Matt Walsh's US based group back in March. His
investment group also includes successful key We entrepreneurs the Gris brothers,
Leon and Stephen, their business partner Sean Colgan, as well
as former club owners Paul and Liz Blackwell and ex
(01:25):
Breaker and Toll Black, Tom Abercrombie and another club legend,
Dylan Boucher is the president of basketball Operations. Mark Mitchell
is with us. Mark, you were a lower level investor
under the previous ownership, So what leads you to seek
to take a majority stake in the Breakers.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Well, it's great to be with you and thanks for
having me.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
I think it was a lot of things to do
with New Zealand, with the region, with the growth of
the game. I saw the opportunity to continue to grow
the sport and what we can do not only on
the court but in the community. I think that's really
important and that's what we're trying to get back to.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
With our roots. So for me, it was a lot
of things.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
And you know, being the team for New Zealand as
a as a country as a whole was so attractive.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
You say, get back to that. Do you think the
club had moved away from that under the previous ownership group.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
I believe so, you know, and and again you know,
we're thinking about the future.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
We're thinking about.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Where we're going and trying to do it our way. So,
you know, I think the proofs in the pudding. We
are going to deliver on the promises that we're making,
and you know, the passes the past, but we're looking
towards the future.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
How can were you to reintegrate the likes of the Blackwells,
Tom Ebercrombie, Dylan Boucher, names synonymous with the basketball club
in its past successes.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
It was hugely important when you have success on the
court and off the court and build culture that's so successful.
So in the way that they've done this in the
early two thousands with the championships, with being role models
in the community and for New Zealand youth, that was important.
And every single person who you mentioned, they're great people,
(03:16):
they're great competitors, they're successful, but they all wanted to
be a part of this. They all understood what we're
trying to build. So for me, it would be silly
to not use those relationships and bring those people aboard.
And so I'm very happy with the group that I
put together, and you know, we're just getting started as
far as that goes. But to really have that foundation
(03:41):
is we started in a really great place because of that.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
What is your vision for the Breakers long term?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Again, we represent the entire country, so to be the
country's team in the league and the NBL, but to
the world.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
For us too, it's about leading.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
In the sport in general, so from grassroots all the
way to the professional level. So in between that you
have all of the youth programs and junior Breakers, but
we're going to bring back the Breakers Academy as well.
And you know, we have a nice partnership as well
with Basketball New Zealand and the Tall Blacks. I understand
the importance of making sure that the sport grows as
(04:22):
a whole. We will all benefit from that. So there's
a lot of crossover as you know, with Dylan Boucher
being our president of Basketball Operations and the former CEO
of Basketball in New Zealand, but Jed Flavell as our
associate head coach, so many of our players playing for
the Tall Blacks. So to grow the game and for
New Zealand to be successful both as a national team
(04:44):
but also at a professional level in the NBL.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I want to talk a bit more about the community
stuff on the moment, Mike, But how important is that
the team just wins basketball games?
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Very That's where it all begins. We're here to win,
you know.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
I think we put together a very competitive team in
a very competitive league, but it all starts there.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
You know.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
That's what keeps people interested. You know, we've got great
fans in their diehards, but we all want to win.
That's where we start, and that's the conversation every day
in our facility.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Imports are obviously important to any roster in the Australia
National Basketball League and Pockajackson cat right, you've got one
of the best, a couple of debutants last night as well.
But how important is a strong Kiwi flavor on your roster.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
It's been really important, I think, you know, I defer
to Dylan on basketball decisions. He is really great at
his job. But one of the things that we talked
about very early was pinning back to that Kiwi core.
I told the story to our team at our jersey blessing.
(05:52):
I had a conversation with a former executive of one
of the NBL teams in Australia and he said to me,
you know, I probably shouldn't tell you this, but when
we used to play you guys, we were a little
bit scared.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
And I said, well, what do you mean by that?
Speaker 3 (06:05):
He said, well, when New Zealand played, they were playing
for something different.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
They were playing with the chip on their shoulder.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
They were playing for the entire country and a level
of pride that we didn't see with the other teams.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
And I found that to be so interesting.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
I think it's an advantage that we have with our
Kiwi Core, and so you know, we want to, like
I said, build the game, but I think build the
game in the country.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
But I think it's really important.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
As we've built this Kiwi Core, it actually gives us
a competitive advantage.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Do you think the plaiers realize that? Do you think
they realized that the ky wekness is a superpeller?
Speaker 4 (06:41):
You nailed the word. That's the word that I use.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I said, putting this jersey on is a superpower. And
I think that they agree. And I think we have
high level leadership. Uh you know from our Kiwis. We
also have a bunch of young Kiwis, so you know,
I think everybody understands that, and everybody plays with the
level of Pride because they're representing the country.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
I guess it's easy to quantify on quote success with
you know, with results and stats and things like that,
but how do you quantify off court success the community stuff?
You were talking about, what does off court success look
like for the Breakers?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Well, it's funny, you know, we're now speaking a day
after the morning after a game. I got a text
this morning from someone who was at the game and
he said, I don't know what success looks like, but
you should look at this video.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
And there's a video of his daughter.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Shooting hoops in their yard and he said, this is
what she's been doing all morning.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
They were at the game last night. She's obviously inspired.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
And success comes in a lot of different ways, but
that's one of them. Can we touch the youth, can
we be examples, can we be out in the community,
and can we grow the game?
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Do you see a tom when there's a women's team?
Speaker 3 (07:50):
I would love that, And so, you know, I think
there's a couple levels to look at that.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
There's obviously domestic, there's a league.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
And that's growing, and then the WNBL as well is
just getting its legs under itself. I think that is
something in the future that I absolutely want to have
as part of our program, and so as the opportunities
grow in the region, it's always something that we'll be
looking to add.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Would you describe yourself as a hands on owner of
this club.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
I am very involved, but I've hired great people and
you know, they are empowered to do their jobs. And
I feel really wonderful about our staff, our front office
and the playing can continue as well, and the coaching staff,
I mean all phases.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
I think we've gotten some.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Great people who are very talented but also good folks.
So for me, you know, it's about setting the vision.
I'm in touch with everybody all the time, but I'll
never micro manage folks.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
An the result you're after last night to start the season,
but it's only the first game. What did you make
of last night?
Speaker 3 (09:06):
Well, as a as a basketball fan, Uh, you know,
we can only shoot better than we did last night,
so I'm actually encouraged. You know, we played pretty well
with the shots just didn't fall. I will tell you this,
it is very different watching it from this perspective as
the owner of a team is quite nerve wracking. So
(09:27):
it was a fun time, you know, the atmosphere in
the arena was great. But I think, you know, for
the first game, not a bad start. We have things
obviously on the court we we're going to keep working on,
but are very confident in our team and in our
coaching staff that you know will continue to be very
competitive in every game in this league, like I mentioned,
(09:47):
is so competitive top to bottom.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
But you know we'll be right there.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
You've landed on a real string point. I've actually wondered that,
you know, what's so much skin on the game, you know,
being the owner of this club, Now, are you able
to actually enjoy a game of basketball that the brek
is applying? What do you do?
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Well?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
You just sitting there with a nought in your stomach
the whole time to be determined.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Last night it was more of a not in the
stomach scenario. So you know, hopefully we'll ease into this.
I told my wife last night, I said, I don't
know if I can do this thirty two times, you know,
because it is very stressful. You want what's best for
the guys, and you want that result that everybody wants,
which is to win.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
So we'll see. We'll see how I do.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
But like I said, It's a new experience, but one
that I'm embracing a bit.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Sounds like it. Great to have the new season underway.
Great to have you at the hell Mark. Thanks for
joining us. Look forward to catching up across the season
again sometime.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Thank you so much. Look forward to talking again.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Yes I do. I make thanks today. Mike Mitchell there,
majority owner of the Breakers. So we lost last night
one four ninety five to the Brisbane Bullets, but no
time to really dwell on that. Off they go to
Melbourne where tomorrow afternoon they'll play Melbourne United. Next home
game is next Saturday at Beckett Sparker in obviously against
(11:01):
against the Perth Worldcats.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
News Talks it B weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
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