Thu Jul 24 04:17:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Cricket’s Olympic Dream in Jeopardy as USA Cricket Faces Governance Crisis**
**Singapore -** Just a year after co-hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and earning an ICC award for team performance, USA Cricket is embroiled in a major governance crisis that threatens its Olympic future and standing within the International Cricket Council (ICC). A contractual dispute with American Cricket Enterprise Inc. (ACE), the private consortium granted exclusive rights to run elite T20 cricket in the U.S., has exposed deep fractures in the relationship.
In 2019, USA Cricket handed over its commercial and operational reins to ACE, with promises of stadium construction and league development. However, USA Cricket issued a breach notice to ACE alleging delayed payments, missed infrastructure deadlines (with only 1 of 6 promised ICC-standard stadiums completed), governance interference, and unapproved international expansion (pursuing a Toronto franchise and ties with New Zealand Cricket without USA Cricket’s sign-off). ACE denies any wrongdoing.
The core of the dispute lies in ACE’s extensive control, which is unusual in U.S. sports, including commercial rights, infrastructure duties, and funding. USA Cricket’s reliance on ACE, coupled with limited audit rights, creates a conflict that jeopardizes the country’s Olympic certification for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
USA Cricket ended 2023 with just $52,533 in cash against $615,110 in current liabilities. Receivables swelled to $505,689, and disclosures show $439,000 of that tied to ACE. The audit also reports continuing negative operating cash flow, reinforcing how quickly funding gaps can become existential. In the same filing, USA Cricket disclosed that 48% of its 2023 contributions came from the ICC and 12% from ACE, underscoring how concentrated that lifeline is.
An internal review also revealed a potential conflict of interest involving Paraag Marathe, the USA Cricket Chairman during the 2019 agreement, who held a consulting agreement with Times Internet (UK), a key ACE backer.
The ICC has placed USA Cricket “on notice,” requiring governance reforms, including free and fair elections. The USOPC, also demands independent governance, athlete representation, and financial transparency. Failure to meet these standards could threaten cricket’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympics.
The situation raises critical questions about USA Cricket’s autonomy, as ACE’s control over funding, league structure, and infrastructure appears to breach both the Ted Stevens Act and USOPC bylaws.
The crisis has spurred a wider debate about the governance of cricket in the United States, which is now under scrutiny by both the ICC and the USOPC, and highlights the delicate balance between commercial interests and national sporting integrity.
ACE responded to inquiries, stating that the claims were inaccurate and misleading and reflect a “fundamental misunderstanding” of the agreement between the parties.
First Piper 