Major League Cricket (MLC) is an upcoming professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United States. It is operated by American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) and sanctioned by USA Cricket. The league is set to begin play on July 13, 2023, with six teams representing major U.S. cities under a single-entity model. MLC is expected to elevate the game of cricket in the United States and attract South Asian American fans who yearn for the chance to cheer for their favorite teams.
Cricket is one of the world’s most popular sports, but it has yet to gain a foothold in the United States. MLC aims to change that by bringing world-class cricket to America. The league has already generated a lot of buzz, with fans eagerly anticipating the start of the inaugural season. With six teams representing major U.S. cities, MLC promises to be a thrilling competition that will showcase the best of cricket to American audiences.
If you’re new to cricket or just want to learn more about the upcoming MLC season, this guide is for you. We’ll cover everything you need to know about the league, including the teams, the players, the schedule, and more. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or a casual observer, this guide will help you get up to speed on the exciting world of Major League Cricket.
History and Formation
Major League Cricket (MLC) is an upcoming professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United States. It is operated by American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) and sanctioned by USA Cricket. The league is set to begin play on July 13, 2023, with six teams representing major U.S. cities under a single-entity model.
The formation of Major League Cricket is a significant milestone for cricket in the United States. The league is the culmination of years of effort by USA Cricket to establish a professional cricket league in the country. The league aims to bring cricket to a wider audience in the United States and promote the sport in the country.
American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) is the owner of Major League Cricket. ACE is a consortium of investors led by Sameer Mehta, Vijay Srinivasan, and Satyan Gajwani. The consortium also includes investors from the United States, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
The first season of Major League Cricket is set to take place over three weeks at Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas. The league has already held a player draft at the space center Houston, which saw the selection of some of the world’s top cricket talent.
Overall, the formation of Major League Cricket is a significant step forward for cricket in the United States. The league has the potential to bring the sport to a wider audience in the country and establish cricket as a major sport in the United States.
Structure and Format
Major League Cricket (MLC) is a professional T20 cricket league in the United States. The league comprises six teams, each representing a different city in the US. The league follows a franchise model, where each team is privately owned and operated.
Teams
The six teams that participate in the MLC are Austin Athletics, Chicago Blasters, Manhattan Mystics, Miami Sunrisers, San Francisco Bay Cyclones, and Washington Eagles. Each team has a squad of up to 18 players, including both domestic and overseas players. The league has a salary cap of $1.2 million per team, which includes the cost of players, coaches, and support staff.
Schedule
The MLC season typically runs for three weeks in July, with each team playing 15 league matches in a single round-robin format. The top four teams at the end of the league stage qualify for the play-off phase, which consists of two semi-finals and a final. The matches are played in various stadiums across the US, and the league hopes to play matches in a to-be-constructed stadium in Los Angeles and Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina.
Player Draft
The MLC holds an annual player draft, where teams can select players from a pool of domestic and overseas players. The inaugural edition of the MLC took place in March 2023, and the next draft is scheduled to take place in early 2024. The draft is divided into several rounds, with each team having the opportunity to select U-23 players, domestic players, and overseas players. The draft is a crucial part of the league, as it allows teams to build a competitive squad and create a fan base.
In conclusion, the MLC follows a franchise model, with six teams representing different cities in the US. The league has a salary cap of $1.2 million per team, and each team has a squad of up to 18 players. The league season runs for three weeks in July, with each team playing 15 league matches in a single round-robin format. The top four teams qualify for the play-off phase, which consists of two semi-finals and a final. The league holds an annual player draft, where teams can select players from a pool of domestic and overseas players.
Major Teams
Major League Cricket will feature six teams representing major U.S. cities under a single-entity model. Here is a brief overview of each team:
Texas Super Kings
The Texas Super Kings are based in Dallas and are owned by Mohit Burman, Karthik Reddy, and Parag Agrawal. They have selected players such as Chris Lynn, Faf du Plessis, and Rashid Khan in the draft.
Los Angeles Knight Riders
The Los Angeles Knight Riders are owned by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment in partnership with the principal investors of Kolkata Knight Riders. They have picked up players such as Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Eoin Morgan in the draft.
MI New York
MI New York is owned by the Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians. They have picked up players such as Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, and Rashid Khan in the draft.
San Francisco Unicorns
The San Francisco Unicorns are owned by Kushal Pal Singh and his son Rajiv Singh. They have selected players such as Kagiso Rabada, Nicholas Pooran, and Jason Behrendorff in the draft.
Seattle Orcas
The Seattle Orcas are owned by Sameer Mehta and Satyan Gajwani. They have picked up players such as Jhye Richardson, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Lamichhane in the draft.
Washington Freedom
The Washington Freedom is owned by Vijay and Srinivas Tummala. They have selected players such as Shadab Khan, Colin Munro, and Thisara Perera in the draft.
Each team will play each other twice in the league stage, with the top four teams qualifying for the playoffs. The first season is set to take place over three weeks at Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas, starting from July 13, 2023.
Key Personalities and Players
Major League Cricket (MLC) is set to feature some of the biggest names in cricket from around the world. From marquee signings to local talents, the league promises to be an exciting showcase of the sport.
One of the key personalities behind the league is Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft. Nadella is a cricket enthusiast and has been instrumental in bringing the league to the United States. Another important figure is Venky Harinarayan, who is part of the ownership group of the Los Angeles Knight Riders.
Several international stars have been signed up for the inaugural season of MLC. Australian batsman Aaron Finch will lead the Washington Freedom, while his compatriot Marcus Stoinis will play for the San Francisco Unicorns. England’s Liam Plunkett will represent the New York Tigers, while New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson will play for the Chicago Blasters.
South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock will turn out for the Los Angeles Knight Riders, while Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and South African pace bowler Anrich Nortje will play for the Washington Freedom. Rusty Theron, who has represented South Africa in international cricket, will play for the San Diego Surf Riders.
Local talents will also have a chance to shine in the league. Harmeet Singh, a left-arm spinner who has played for India at the Under-19 level, will represent the Silicon Valley Strikers. Unmukt Chand, who led India to victory in the 2012 Under-19 World Cup, will play for the New York Tigers.
The league also boasts some high-profile owners, including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is part of the ownership group of the Los Angeles Knight Riders. Kieron Pollard, the West Indies all-rounder, is part of the ownership group of the Miami Waves.
Venues
Major League Cricket (MLC) is set to take place over three weeks at two cricket-specific venues in North Texas and Greater Raleigh. The two venues are Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas, and Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina.
Grand Prairie Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 10,000 spectators. The stadium is located in the city of Grand Prairie, Texas, and is home to the Texas AirHogs baseball team. The stadium has hosted various sporting events, including soccer, football, and baseball. It will host all the matches in the North Texas region.
Church Street Park is a multi-purpose stadium located in Morrisville, North Carolina. The stadium has a seating capacity of 2,000 spectators. It has hosted various events, including concerts, festivals, and sporting events. The stadium will host all the matches in the Greater Raleigh region.
Both venues have been selected for their cricket-specific facilities, including practice areas, dressing rooms, and media facilities. The organizers have ensured that the venues meet international standards to provide the best playing experience for the players.
The organizers have also taken into account the weather conditions while selecting the venues. The matches have been scheduled in the evening to avoid the scorching heat of the day. The matches will be played under floodlights, providing a unique experience for the players and spectators.
In conclusion, the MLC organizers have selected two excellent venues that meet international standards for cricket. The Grand Prairie Stadium and Church Street Park will provide the best playing experience for the players and an unforgettable experience for the spectators.
Investors and Stakeholders
Major League Cricket has garnered significant interest from investors and stakeholders, including some notable names in the business world. Here are some of the key investors and stakeholders involved in Major League Cricket:
- Ross Perot Jr.: The son of former US presidential candidate Ross Perot, Ross Perot Jr. is one of the most prominent investors in Major League Cricket. He is the chairman of Hillwood, a real estate development company, and has been involved in a number of sports ventures over the years.
- Anand Rajaraman and Vijay Srinivasan: Founding partners at Milliways Ventures and Rocketship VC, Anand Rajaraman and Vijay Srinivasan are also investors in Major League Cricket. They have a background in technology and have been involved in a number of successful startups.
- Shantanu Narayen: The CEO of Adobe, Shantanu Narayen is another investor in Major League Cricket. He has been with Adobe since 1998 and has played a key role in the company’s growth and success.
- IndiaWin Sports: IndiaWin Sports is a sports management company that is involved in a number of different sports ventures, including Major League Cricket. They are focused on developing sports in India and around the world.
- Sanjay Govil: Sanjay Govil is the founder and chairman of Infinite Computer Solutions, a global technology company. He is also an investor in Major League Cricket and has been involved in a number of sports ventures over the years.
These investors and stakeholders bring a wealth of experience and expertise to Major League Cricket, and their involvement is a testament to the potential of the league. With their support, Major League Cricket is poised to become a major player in the world of cricket and sports more broadly.
Impact and Influence
Since its inception, Major League Cricket (MLC) has generated significant interest and excitement among cricket enthusiasts in the United States and beyond. With a $120 million investment from big names such as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Ross Perot Jr., Anand Rajaraman, and Shantanu Narayen, MLC is poised to make a big impact on the world of cricket.
MLC’s influence is already evident in the player draft, which took place at the space center Houston. The draft attracted top cricket players from around the world, including Jason Roy, who decided to cancel his England contract and sign up for MLC. This decision has brought the sport’s attempt to crack the United States into sharp focus, and it remains to be seen how successful MLC will be.
MLC’s impact is not limited to the United States. It is also expected to have a significant impact on the international cricket scene. The league’s success could lead to more interest in cricket in South Asia, where the sport is already hugely popular. It could also lead to more teams entering the fray, as has happened with the Indian Premier League (IPL), which now boasts eight teams, including the Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.
In addition to its impact on the world of cricket, MLC is also expected to have a positive economic impact. The league is expected to create jobs and generate revenue for the cities where the teams are based. This could be a boon for the local economies, especially in light of the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, MLC has the potential to be a game-changer for cricket in the United States and beyond. It remains to be seen how successful the league will be, but there is no doubt that it has generated significant interest and excitement among cricket fans around the world.
Future Prospects
The inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC) is set to start in 2023, and the league has already generated a lot of buzz among cricket fans in the United States. With the league’s ambitious plans to elevate the game of cricket in the country, MLC is poised to make a significant impact on the professional cricket scene in the US.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, MLC has managed to secure several partnerships that will help the league achieve its goals. One of the most significant partnerships is with Willow TV, a leading cricket broadcaster in the US. This partnership will ensure that MLC matches are broadcasted to a wide audience across the country, helping to raise the profile of the league and the sport of cricket.
MLC’s commitment to developing cricket infrastructure in the US is also promising. The league has announced plans to build state-of-the-art cricket stadiums across the country, which will not only provide world-class facilities for players but also help to attract more fans to the sport.
As the league grows, it is expected to attract top talent from around the world, further elevating the level of play and making MLC a truly global league. With the league’s salary cap reportedly set to around $1 million per team, MLC is also set to become one of the most lucrative cricket leagues in the world, providing players with a significant financial incentive to participate in the league.
In conclusion, the future prospects for Major League Cricket are bright, with the league’s ambitious plans and partnerships set to elevate the sport of cricket in the United States. As the league’s inaugural season approaches, cricket fans in the US can look forward to an exciting new era of professional cricket in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Major League Cricket franchises?
Major League Cricket franchises are owned by a variety of investors and corporations. The league has six teams, and each team has its own ownership group. The ownership groups include individuals such as Shah Rukh Khan, the Bollywood superstar, and Jeff Vinik, the owner of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. You can find more information about the ownership groups on the Major League Cricket website.
Where can I find the Major League Cricket schedule for 2023?
The Major League Cricket schedule for 2023 can be found on the official Major League Cricket website. The schedule includes the dates, times, and locations of all of the league’s games.
What is the Major League Cricket draft?
The Major League Cricket draft is a process in which teams select players to join their rosters. The draft takes place before the start of each season and includes both domestic and international players. The draft order is determined by the previous season’s results, with the team that finished last receiving the first pick.
How many teams are in the Major League Cricket?
The Major League Cricket currently has six teams: the Dallas Mustangs, the Los Angeles Knight Riders, the MI New York, the San Francisco Unicorns, the Seattle Orcas, and the Washington Freedom. The league may expand in the future, but no official plans have been announced.
Will Major League Cricket games be televised?
Yes, Major League Cricket games will be televised. The league has signed a multi-year deal with ESPN and Willow TV to broadcast its games in the United States. The league also has international broadcast partners, including Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and SuperSport in South Africa.
Is cricket becoming more popular in the United States?
Cricket is slowly gaining popularity in the United States, thanks in part to the establishment of professional leagues such as Major League Cricket. The sport has a growing fan base, and there are now more opportunities for people to watch and play cricket in the United States than ever before. However, cricket still faces competition from other sports, and its popularity is not yet on par with more established sports such as football, basketball, and baseball.
