ACE calls USAC termination ‘unlawful’, says commitment to US cricket remains | Cricket News
American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) has rejected USA Cricket’s decision to terminate its 50-year agreement with the organisation, calling the move “unlawful” and warning it could disrupt ongoing and future cricket development in the United States.On Friday, a split USA Cricket (USAC) board decided to snap its 2019 agreement with ACE, a move which comes on the heels of the start of the 2025 MiLC season and with Los Angeles due to host the Olympics in 2028 where cricket one of the events.In response, ACE said it has invested more than $150 million since 2019 to build the sport in the country, including the launch of Major League Cricket (MLC) and MiLC, the development of stadiums and training facilities, and financial support for USA’s national teams.It must be pointed out here that USAC has been pulled up for over a year now by cricket’s global body (ICC) over governance and financial management issues.ACE denied any contractual breaches, saying it had “exceeded its financial obligations” and provided additional discretionary funding, including advance payments to help USAC meet staff salaries.The company added that USAC had itself used ACE’s facilities for national team training and events.The organisation accused USAC of acting on “personal and political agendas” and urged the board to step down in favour of independent directors selected by the ICC and the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Both ICC and USOPC have urged the current USAC board to step down and implement changes. The latest directive and warning came after ICC’s AGM last month in Singapore.“USAC is hypocritically alleging contractual noncompliance while requesting that ACE immediately negotiate a new agreement. ACE views USAC’s improper conduct as nothing more than a cynical attempt to serve personal and political agendas, at the expense of the US cricket community,” said ACE’s statement.“Consistent with previous ICC and USOPC recommendations, ACE urges the USAC board to resign immediately and allow professional independent board members selected by the ICC and USOPC to steer USA Cricket forward,” it added.The termination of contract leaves uncertainty around MiLC, national team activities, and preparations for upcoming ICC events – including the T20 World Cup.ACE reiterated its ambition to further US cricket, a significantly untapped market for the sport.“Nonetheless, ACE will not allow USAC’s tactics to undermine its continued development of a thriving, elite cricket ecosystem. ACE remains focused on advancing U.S. cricket and serving the best interests of the cricket community.“ACE is prepared to take all necessary steps to protect its stakeholders, safeguard the progress it has made over the last seven years, and ensure the long-term success of cricket in the US.”With ACE controlling professional leagues and infrastructure, and USAC holding ICC recognition, the future of US cricket now hinges on how the dispute is resolved.
