The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has called for the immediate resignation of all directors on the USA Cricket (USAC) board, escalating a deepening governance crisis just three years before cricket returns to the Olympics at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
According to a Times of India report, the directive was delivered in a formal communication from David Patterson, senior governance adviser to the USOPC, to USAC Chief Executive Jonathan Atkeison. In it, Patterson stated: “The USOPC believes that a comprehensive leadership overhaul is essential. Partial changes will not suffice. A fresh start is the only effective way forward for USA Cricket.”
While the Times of India reported incorrectly that only independent directors have been asked to resigned, in actuality the USOPC has called for the entire board of directors to resign.
ICC and USOPC push for a “clean slate”
The USOPC’s demand follows high-level meetings in Los Angeles between USOPC officials, members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Normalisation Committee, USAC chair Venu Pisike, and CEO Atkeison. Sources familiar with the talks said the ICC supports the USOPC’s call for sweeping changes, with both organizations now aligned on the need for a “clean slate.”
As per the report, this marks the first time the USOPC and ICC have jointly supported a plan to collaboratively construct an initial slate of new independent director candidates.
Olympic implications loom over USA Cricket
In a stern warning, Patterson outlined seven specific next steps for USAC and indicated that the USOPC will remain “involved and engaged throughout this process and beyond.”
Crucially, the USOPC has tied its recognition of any national governing body for cricket to compliance with its recommendations. Atkeison has warned USAC’s board that unless these conditions are met, the USOPC will not open the application process for recognizing a cricket body in the United States—effectively sidelining USA Cricket from organizing Olympic cricket events domestically.
Divisions emerge within USAC board
Following the correspondence, Atkeison circulated Patterson’s message to the entire USAC board, emphasizing the urgent tone of the USOPC’s expectations. While some directors have reportedly agreed to resign, others, including chair Venu Pisike and board member Srini Salver, are said to be resisting the pressure.
Despite recent meetings involving the ICC, one USAC board member reportedly claimed that no formal communication has been received from the global governing body.
A history of instability
Formed in 2018, USA Cricket has faced sustained criticism over governance failures and financial mismanagement. Persistent internal strife and a lack of transparency have damaged the organization’s credibility both domestically and within the global cricketing community.
The USOPC’s move signals a potential turning point, as Olympic and cricket authorities seek to rebuild the American governing body from the ground up with stronger oversight, professionalism, and accountability ahead of a landmark moment for the sport in the United States.
Whether USA Cricket embraces the directive or risks isolation from Olympic cricket remains to be seen. But the message from USOPC is unequivocal: the time for half-measures is over.
