Split board at USA Cricket cuts ties with ACE following years of tensions pushing the partnership to the brink.
In a major move, USA Cricket officially broke up its relationship with American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), its strategic partner. In June 2019, the national governing body signed a 50-year contract with Major League Cricket (MLC)’s parent company, ACE, which gives it the only right to control and run a premier T20 league in the US.
The agreement also addressed ambitions to build cricket infrastructure in a nation with few specialised facilities and the commercialisation of the national teams. But the partnership was continually pushed to the limit by years of strife. The relationship reached a breaking point when USA Cricket issued out the notice of termination yesterday after its three-hour board meeting. The board was polarised, having been on an ICC suspension order since July 2024.
Allies Srini Salver, Anj Balusu, and Pintoo Shah backed the request of Chairman Venu Pisike and Board Member David Haubert to end ACE’s contract. Salver and Pisike’s disagreements with ACE have long been known. Similar to Salver’s own rise, Balusu, a confidant of Pisike from the Atlanta Cricket League, was elected without opposition after other contenders were disqualified on technical grounds.
In contrast, Pisike supported the appointment of independent directors Haubert and Shah. Directors Arjun Gona, Atul Rai, Kuljit Nijjar, and Nadia Gruny were all outvoted by this group.
As an aside, Gruny has officially contested Pisike’s eligibility to serve as Board Chairman in accordance with USA Cricket’s bylaws. Legal counsel and USAC CEO Jonathan Atkeison were also in attendance. According to a number of sources, Atkeison cautioned the motion’s backers about the repercussions of doing so on several occasions.
Along with warning that the firing was unlikely to stand up in arbitration, the board’s legal counsel went a step further and allegedly called the action “reckless.” Atkeison also cautioned the board about the financial implications for a company that is already struggling. Without ACE’s quarterly payments, USA Cricket might be just a few weeks away from going bankrupt, according to several sources.
The US National Team’s economics and management are at the heart of the disagreement, and USA Cricket has expressed their desire to see Major League Cricket continue. Furthermore, the ICC has approved Major League Cricket, eliminating the need for USA Cricket to maintain the sport. However, considering its current commitments and upcoming investments in the larger American cricket ecosystem, ACE is anticipated to contest the termination in arbitration. USA Cricket’s finances may be further strained as a result of this judicial process.