However, New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills is not convinced the floodgates will open.
Last week Black Caps left-armer Mitchell McClenaghan was granted a release from his national contract so he could play in the South African and Australian T20 tournaments.
He joins the likes of retired Black Caps Brendon McCullum, Luke Ronchi and Grant Elliott in opting to freelance as a T20 player.
McClenaghan, though, is still in his prime and his decision has sparked concerns his departure may be the beginning of a trend.
Those anxieties were heightened earlier this week when Star India agreed to pay $NZ3.56 billion for the rights to broadcast the Indian Premier League for the next five years.
The IPL is the golden ticket but there are plenty of other tournaments which offer considerable financial rewards.
The question is whether the riches on offer will entice large numbers of New Zealand players away.
''I don't think so,'' Mills said.
''I think there is going to be some more pressure on some of the fringe players, for sure.
''The new South Africa league, the IPL and the new English league starting in a few years' time are all going to want players to play in their competitions. I think they will be looking at New Zealand players, along with players from other countries.
''But as long as we still have test cricket as a meaningful part of the programme, then I think the vast majority of players, or those who are in the test frame, will remain in New Zealand and contracted on a national contract.''
If you are on the fringe of the side like spinner Ish Sodhi or batsman Colin Munro, the temptation to turn down a national contract and freelance must be attractive.
Mills understands both players remain committed to playing for New Zealand.
''But if, in the next couple of years, they don't get the opportunities, then they might change that position.
''We are likely to see more of these type of players taking up these opportunities over time.
There is an upside should the drip become more of a tide. It is an opportunity for more people to progress through the contract system and it does not have to spell the end of a player's international career.
''You never know when they might come back into the fold. A good example of that is Jeetan Patel.
''He essentially became a fulltime player in England and, for a couple of years, wasn't required.''
Mills believes the arrival of fruitful T20 tournaments has put the ''focus on international cricket to improve itself as a product''.
''There is no question about that because before the T20 franchises, countries just scheduled more and more international cricket and a lot of it lacked context and meaning.''
The ICC is working towards developing a test championship and putting more emphasis on its trademark tournaments.
The idea a little less international cricket might even be good for the game is starting to filter through to the top, Mills suggested.
''Ultimately the players will continue to play international cricket if it has meaning, it has value and if they get well rewarded for it.''
