USA Cricket Files for Bankruptcy Amid ICC Suspension and Contractual Disputes
October 2, 2025, 02:18 PM ET - USA Cricket (USAC) has plunged deeper into crisis, announcing today it has initiated voluntary bankruptcy proceedings under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The move, described by USAC as “aggressive” and “legal,” is framed as a necessary step to “ensure the future of American cricket,” but arrives amidst a recent suspension from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and allegations of a deeply flawed commercial agreement.
The decision follows a September 23rd suspension by the ICC, triggered by “serious breaches of membership criteria.” In a communication to USAC Chairman Venu Pisike, ICC Chairman Jay Shah explicitly warned against any actions that could “undermine the ICC or its Normalisation Committee” – particularly concerning the upcoming LA28 Olympic Games.
Despite the ICC’s concerns, USAC CEO Jonathan Atkeison stated the financial restructuring is intended to address the suspension, asserting it will provide “the time and space it needs to successfully reorganize.”
Internal Discord and Questions of Authority
The path to bankruptcy has been far from unified within USAC. Sources indicate a contentious board meeting on September 30th, where the nine directors discussed the bankruptcy filing as the sole agenda item.
A subsequent meeting on Tuesday revealed significant internal division. Four directors – Nadia Gruny,Atul Rai,arjun Gona,and Kuljeet Singh Nijjar – reportedly questioned prioritizing bankruptcy over addressing the ICC suspension. According to sources, Chairman Pisike dismissed the discussion, leading the four dissenting directors to leave the meeting in protest, alleging they were “muted” before fully expressing their concerns.
it remains unclear whether the remaining five directors possess the constitutional authority to authorize the restructuring. Attempts to reach Chairman Pisike for comment have been unsuccessful.
The ACE Agreement: A 50-Year Burden?
At the heart of USAC’s financial woes lies a long-term contract with American Cricket Enterprise (ACE), the commercial partner and owner of Major League Cricket (MLC).Signed in 2019, the 50-year agreement is now described by USAC as “heavily favour[ing]” ACE.
USAC alleges the agreement was not negotiated at “arm’s length,” and points to undisclosed conflicts of interest involving a former board member and their employer, who allegedly had affiliations with ACE. The institution claims this individual heavily influenced the contract’s terms, creating a significant financial and operational strain.
The future of American cricket hangs in the balance as USAC navigates these complex legal and organizational challenges. This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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