USA Cricket, the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport in the United States, has filed for financial reorganization under Chapter 11, Subchapter V of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The filing marks a pivotal moment in the organization’s long-awaited structural overhaul and aims to preserve the future of American cricket.
The decision, described as “aggressive but necessary,” follows mounting financial strain and governance challenges, particularly around USA Cricket’s commercial relationship with American Cricket Enterprises (ACE).
“The decision was not made lightly, but it is the best course of action to secure USA Cricket,” said Johnathan Atkeison, USA Cricket CEO, who took over in 2024 and previously led the successful reorganization of USA Rugby. “This move allows us the time and legal framework to reset and meet the International Cricket Council’s expectations.”
ACE deal under scrutiny as USAC severs ties
A major factor in the reorganization is the long-criticized 50-year ACE agreement, which the USA Cricket Board terminated on August 22, 2025. The contract, which heavily favored ACE, is alleged to have been negotiated without board oversight and with significant conflicts of interest.
According to USAC, the agreement restricted the NGB’s ability to generate team sponsorships and secure broadcast partnerships, while offering only a small share of ACE’s cricket-related revenues — well below the estimated $5 million annual commercial value of the USA national team rights.
“ACE never delivered on its funding obligations, never paid staff or player salaries, and routinely offset its Major League Cricket (MLC) expenses against monies owed to USA Cricket,” said the statement. Infrastructure promises were also unmet — with only one ICC-grade stadium built out of the six required by 2025, ahead of cricket’s return to the Olympics at LA 2028.
Bankruptcy protections amid ICC suspension and litigation
The Chapter 11 filing provides legal protection while the organization attempts to address contractual issues, implement governance reforms, and work toward restoring its standing with the International Cricket Council, which had suspended USA Cricket earlier this year.
“We were forced into the protections of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court because ACE weaponized its financial muscle to frustrate our ability to govern the sport,” said Corey MacDonald, USA Cricket’s General Counsel.
The legal action is viewed by the board as a proactive step to resolve a broken model and to establish a sustainable and transparent future for cricket in the U.S. As part of the restructuring, USA Cricket is expected to reassess its commercial strategy and rebuild stakeholder trust.
Looking toward LA 2028 and a reimagined future
“This Chapter 11 filing is a decisive move to correct our financial trajectory, build the world-class NGB America deserves, and prepare for the Olympic stage,” added CEO Johnathan Atkeison.
USA Cricket plans to release additional details about the restructuring and its long-term vision for cricket in the United States in the coming weeks.
