Cricket, a sport that may not be as prevalent in the United States compared to other parts of the world, is experiencing a surge in interest thanks to the efforts of high-profile CEOs and investors. As the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup makes its debut in the U.S., significant investments totaling nearly a billion dollars have been funneled into the development of professional cricket in America. Notable figures such as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen are among the individuals backing the newly established U.S. professional league known as Major League Cricket. Other investors include Iconic Ventures, Madrona Venture Group, and executives from Google, all sharing the vision of propelling cricket into the mainstream sports culture of the United States.
The infusion of approximately $850 million into Major League Cricket is a testament to the ambitions of creating a sustainable cricket league in the U.S. Currently, the league comprises six professional teams, each poised to invest between $75 million and $100 million in various aspects of the sport. Funds will be allocated towards team formation, talent acquisition, and the construction of stadiums where live cricket matches can take place. With the growing excitement surrounding the T20 World Cup happening across the U.S. and the West Indies, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating key matchups such as the India vs. Pakistan showdown at the Nassau County stadium in New York.
Satyan Gajwani, the vice chairman of Times Internet and head of Willow TV, a prominent cricket streaming platform in North America, is on a mission to engage the fiercely devoted cricket fans from South Asia residing in the United States. Gajwani acknowledges the significant potential of tapping into the sizable South Asian diaspora in the U.S., which boasts around five million avid cricket supporters. Additionally, expatriates from the U.K. and Australia who have made the U.S. their home are also enthusiastic followers of the sport. The disposable income of South Asians in the U.S., which is notably higher than the national average, presents a lucrative opportunity for sports and entertainment ventures targeting this demographic.
Despite the promising growth of cricket in the U.S., industry insiders recognize the formidable competition posed by well-established American sports such as basketball and football. Anurag Jain, a venture capitalist and co-owner of Major League Cricket team the San Francisco Unicorns, emphasizes the league’s objective of elevating cricket to mainstream status. M.R. Rangaswami, the founder of Indiaspora, acknowledges the difficulty of breaking into the U.S. sports sector but sees a potential opening among baseball enthusiasts who may find similarities between the two sports.
The meteoric rise of cricket in the U.S. is driven by the unwavering commitment of visionary investors and industry leaders who are passionate about ushering in a new era for the sport. With substantial financial backing and a growing fan base, the prospects of cricket becoming a prominent fixture in the American sports landscape appear increasingly promising. As Major League Cricket continues to expand its reach and capture the hearts of diverse audiences, the future of cricket in the U.S. shines brightly on the horizon.