October 10, 2025

USA Cricket releases this first statement in a series of communications to share the truth behind recent developments, help our community understand the challenges we face, and ensure the lessons from this difficult chapter guide future decisions and partnerships.

The recent suspension of USA Cricket by the International Cricket Council has been one of the most difficult moments in our history. It has caused uncertainty and disappointment for players, members, volunteers, and supporters. Yet this moment must not be mistaken for dysfunction. It is the result of difficult but necessary decisions taken to protect the game, the organization, and the future of cricket in the United States.

Years of Strain and Commercial Overreach

Over the past several years, USA Cricket has operated under immense pressure from its commercial partner, American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), and its ownership group.

What was envisioned as a partnership to develop and professionalize the game instead became a one-sided arrangement that restricted the governing body’s independence and undermined its ability to operate freely.

The original term sheet, signed in good faith years ago, was never converted into a balanced, long-form agreement defining clear responsibilities and protections for both sides. ACE repeatedly failed to meet financial and operational obligations while attempting to control the organization’s governance, operations, and programs.

Even amid these challenges, USA Cricket met all ICC compliance requirements, submitted audited financial reports quarterly, and followed the August 2025 directive to complete elections by October 20.

The ICC’s decision to suspend USA Cricket shortly after termination of the ACE agreement has been difficult to comprehend, especially when that action was taken to protect integrity and independence rather than to harm it.

“Ending a one-sided relationship with ACE was a stand for integrity, not defiance of the ICC,” said Venu Pisike, Chair of USA Cricket. “We chose principle over convenience. Our decisions were driven by the need to safeguard the game’s future, not to surrender its control.”

Community Spirit and the Domestic Pathway

From the beginning, ACE began commercializing youth cricket, turning “MLC Jr” into the only pathway for young players, accessible mainly through ACE affiliated academies which charged significant fees. This created barriers for many families and limited opportunities for local development.

Today, through community resilience and the leadership of USA Cricket, that control has been broken. Over 10,000 young players now participate through USA Cricket Hubs, managed by regional and local structures that are open and inclusive.

The domestic pathway program, the cornerstone of American youth player development, is entirely a USA Cricket initiative. It was conceived, structured, and operated by USAC without support from ACE. In fact, parents, volunteers, and players themselves primarily sustain it through commitment and personal sacrifice.

“Our players and parents are the real investors in American cricket,” said Johnathan Atkeison, CEO of USA Cricket. “Every young cricketer who trains after school, every family that drives hours for matches and sacrifices so that their children can compete—these are the people who have truly built the game here. ACE never funded these community programs; the community did.”

That grassroots strength produced the vibrant cricket ecosystem which ACE has sought to claim credit for producing, and at times overshadow or manipulate to increase their market share.

A painful illustration came during the recent 2025 U19 National Championships. The night before the event was set to begin, long-time facility partners who were set to host the event withdrew their support, citing outside pressure not to work with USA Cricket. This act disrupted months of planning, deprived young players of the opportunity to showcase their skills to National Team selectors, and demonstrated how commercial interference can directly harm athletes and volunteers who dedicate their time to the sport.

How ACE’s Conduct Undermined the Game

While purporting to support domestic player pathways, ACE also imported over 100 foreign players under the guise of USA Cricket involvement. Promises left unfulfilled to these individuals left many disappointed and feeling unsupported. ACE also attempted to pressure USA Cricket selectors into choosing players aligned with their interests, displacing home-grown talent and threatening participants who sought to participate in non-MLC tournaments both directly, and at times through ACE-affiliated media outlets.

Disturbingly, ACE representatives issued open threats to several USA National Team players, warning them against participating in USA Cricket sanctioned domestic competitions. These threats included retaliation for players who considered entering the MLC draft independently or expressed loyalty to USA Cricket programs.

In governance, ACE sought to influence board members by promising team ownership or roles in their associated leagues. When resisted, they resorted to targeted leaks and selective reporting aimed at discrediting the leadership of USA Cricket.

Several of these actions disregarded national regulations and are now subject to legal review.

Despite these continuous acts of intimidation and interference, USA Cricket has upheld its commitment to professionalism and inclusivity by reaffirming its sanctioning the Minor League Cricket (MiLC) competition in 2025.

This decision was made in the spirit of supporting players and fans, ensuring that opportunities to play and compete remain open, irrespective of outside pressure.

“Our athletes deserve freedom to play without fear or coercion,” stated Srini Salver, USA Cricket Board Member and Cricket Committee Chair. “We will never allow commercial intimidation to silence or control the aspirations of our national players.”

Looking Forward

USA Cricket’s leadership has taken the principled path—to defend the organization’s integrity, protect its independence, and ensure that control of cricket in the United States remains with its National Governing Body and the community that supports it rather than outside commercial interests.

This is the first in a series of communications that will bring transparency to the challenges faced by USA Cricket and the lessons learned. Future releases will examine the structural flaws in the ACE agreement, the financial breaches, and the steps now being taken to rebuild trust and stability.

We share this message not in blame, but in belief, the belief that American cricket can emerge stronger, fairer, and more inclusive.

“We stand by our players, our parents, and our volunteers,” added Pisike.“This is their game, and USA Cricket will continue to serve them with transparency and accountability.”

​​​​​​​USA Cricket asks for patience, understanding, and continued support as we work through this challenging period. Together, we can restore recognition, complete elections, and reaffirm our collective commitment to fair governance, transparency, and the growth of cricket across the United States.

FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO:

Email: media@usacricket.org

ABOUT USA CRICKET

USA Cricket is the National Federation for cricket in the United States as recognized by the International Cricket Council. USA Cricket’s mission is to govern, regulate, develop and promote all forms of cricket at all levels in the United States, and to enable U.S. cricketers to achieve sustained competitive excellence and successfully compete in national and international competition. Through a diverse Board of Directors that has representation from most cricket stakeholder groups, USA Cricket will lead the sport to new heights by creating and administering value added programs to grow and develop the sport.