By Sportssync | July 24, 2025
When USA Cricket partnered with American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) in 2019, the deal was seen as a great boon for cricket in the US. The 50-year agreement handed ACE control of elite T20 cricket in the US, including half of the major investments – stadiums, leagues, and funding for the national teams. Things don’t look any easier for 2025.
Now, with cricket returning to the Olympics at Los Angeles 2028, that same deal is leading to a growing debate – one that could decide whether the US will even be able to showcase its country’s cricket at the Games.
Cracks in the foundation
To be fair – 2024 was a pretty good year for the USA men’s team. They beat Pakistan cricket team soundly in the T20 World Cup to make it to the Super 8s. It was a memorable moment. But behind the scenes, USA Cricket is going through an entirely different challenge: trying to take back control from ACE.
In June, USA Cricket sent ACE a minor breach notice. They say the consortium has not fulfilled its agreement promises – missing stadium deadlines, delaying payments, and even making international expansion decisions without consulting them. ACE has disputed these claims in a statement and accused USA Cricket of manipulating the agreement to serve its own interests.
What makes this deal so unusual?
In most American sports, the national team and the professional league are separate. Look at the NBA and USA Basketball – they work together, but do not fund or control each other or do anything personal.
In this case, ACE is not just a league operator. That’s the money and stakes of the national team, the league builder and the stadium developer. That’s a lot of responsibility and power in the hands of one private group. And USA Cricket? It gets 5% of cricket revenues and is heavily dependent on ACE to run its business.
This is where the alarm bells start ringing.
The Olympic stakes are real
For USA Cricket to gain official recognition from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), it will also need to demonstrate that it manages the game of cricket effectively. That means clear governance, representation of players, and no outside control—whether private or from their country.
But according to legal documents and audits, USA Cricket is not yet fully independent. Its 2023 financial statement shows just over $52,000 in cash – and it still owes ACE millions of dollars. Furthermore, there are concerns that the deal gives ACE too much power in national team selection and scheduling.
Question marks are also being raised over a former board chairman who had close ties to Times Internet, a key backer of ACE, during crucial stages of the deal. This may not technically be a conflict of interest, but it doesn’t look good either.
ICC and USOPC now keeping a close watch
Both the ICC and USOPC have sounded the alarm. The ICC has issued a “warning” to USA Cricket and demanded governance reforms, including new elections. The USOPC, which USA Cricket must certify to send a team to Los Angeles 28, is also reviewing the board’s composition, independence, and conflict of interest policies.
If these issues are not resolved, things could get serious – not just for USA Cricket’s future, but for its participation in the Olympics.
Who’s really in charge?
Everyone in American cricket is now asking the question: who is running the game? Is it USA Cricket, the official government body? Or ACE, the private body that runs the event?
With Los Angeles 2028 fast approaching, this answer needs to be clear and out. Otherwise, the US could host an Olympic cricket tournament. and still not even gotten its hands on a team.
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