Political pressure builds on ACE amid cricket’s civil war in the U.S.
What began as a high-stakes corporate fallout in American cricket has now escalated into a potential federal investigation, drawing in lawmakers and law enforcement agencies. According to The Hindu, which obtained a confidential document dated August 21, U.S. Congressman Lance Gooden (representing the Texas 5th District, including parts of Dallas) has formally requested that the Department of Justice investigate American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), the company at the heart of the ongoing governance dispute with USA Cricket.
The letter, sent by Gooden to Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, was also marked as copied to U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel — signaling rising political and legal stakes in what is rapidly becoming a full-blown crisis for the sport’s U.S. ambitions.
Allegations of antitrust violations and power consolidation
Gooden, who serves on both the House Judiciary and Armed Services Committees, raised serious concerns over ACE’s exclusive control over elite T20 cricket in the country — and its influence over Team USA operations.
“ACE has been granted exclusive rights under the agreement with USAC, which may have misused this to block competing leagues from hosting tournaments.
If true, such conduct restricts competition and stifles the growth of cricket in the country, constituting a possible violation of U.S. antitrust laws. ACE also appears to have seized exclusive control over the commercial activities of Team USA, including the selection of players by paying their salaries. This undermines USAC’s authority to manage Team USA, potentially violating the Ted Stevens Act, which governs amateur sports organizations in the U.S,” the letter read.
These claims come just days after USA Cricket (USAC) terminated its 50-year commercial partnership with ACE, citing missed payments, unfulfilled infrastructure projects, and interference in governance matters. ACE has rejected the breach notice and defended its actions, saying USAC has misrepresented the terms of their agreement.
Immigration fraud allegations surface
Gooden’s letter also includes potentially explosive allegations involving immigration practices, which could further intensify scrutiny of ACE’s operations and business model.
“ACE has reportedly imported numerous players, coaches, and staff, possibly using USAC’s name and resources to support visa applications over the past six years. There are allegations that various visa categories have been misused, which may not accurately reflect the applicants’ status, raising concerns of potential immigration fraud,” the Congressman also wrote.
These claims, if proven, could place ACE and possibly USAC under review by multiple federal agencies — adding another layer of risk to cricket’s already precarious position in the U.S. market.
From partnership to litigation: The rise and unraveling of ACE
Formed in 2019, ACE was granted exclusive long-term rights to operate top-tier T20 cricket in the U.S. by USA Cricket. The agreement, spearheaded by co-founders Sameer Mehta, Satyan Gajwani, Vijay Srinivasan, and Vineet Jain, included a 50-year license and a sweeping mandate: build six stadiums, fund national teams, and launch pro leagues.
At first, the results were promising. Major League Cricket (MLC) launched with strong backing, including four franchises owned or co-owned by Indian Premier League teams. MI New York even lifted the league trophy in the MLC’s first and just-completed third season. Meanwhile, the U.S. team co-hosted the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, defeated Pakistan in a historic upset, and earned the ICC’s Associate Member Men’s Team Performance of the Year award.
But behind the scenes, tensions have been growing. On June 23, USAC served a formal breach notice to ACE, outlining claims of financial default, unfulfilled obligations, and overreach in areas such as international team control. What followed was a rapid deterioration of trust, culminating in the agreement’s termination.
U.S. cricket’s global ambitions under threat
With governance in freefall and legal investigations looming, the future of American cricket hangs in the balance. The DOJ letter raises the specter of long legal proceedings and federal oversight — potentially imperiling investments, commercial deals, and international relations just as the sport eyes permanent Olympic inclusion and continued expansion into the U.S. market.
The broader cricket world, including the International Cricket Council, will be watching closely as U.S. cricket’s internal fractures become a matter of national, international — and potentially criminal — concern.
