Major League Cricket Unveils Ambitious Expansion Plans to Revitalize US Cricket Scene
In a bold move that will reshape the landscape of professional cricket, Major League Cricket (MLC) has announced plans to significantly expand its reach across the United States. The league, which kicked off its inaugural 19-game season, is now set to grow to a remarkable 34 games by 2025, solidifying its position as a major player in the global cricket arena.
The announcement comes on the heels of the International Cricket Council’s decision to award MLC’s matches with prestigious List A status, further legitimizing the league’s operations. MLC’s Chief Executive, Vijay Srinivasan, shared the league’s vision, stating:
“It was always intended to be a 10-team league. Studies show that we are a big enough country, with a big enough demographic to support 10 teams, so that’s our plan.”
As the second season of MLC prepares to kick off at the end of the World T20 tournament, the league is already planning for further expansion. The 23-day season will overlap with the Hundred, a move that could have significant implications for the professional cricket landscape in England. Srinivasan emphasized the league’s ambition to establish an earlier playing window, with the ideal scenario being a start in early June, coinciding with the school holidays in the US.
The MLC’s expansion plans are expected to put increased pressure on the English cricket system to decide on the future of private investment in the Hundred. With a formidable array of investors, including several Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises and prominent business figures, the MLC is poised to challenge the dominance of traditional cricket powerhouses.
“All of these people who came on board with us when we started five years ago have been immensely successful in other walks of life,” Srinivasan stated, expressing the league’s long-term commitment to nurturing the sport in the US. The MLC has already established a series of academies and a minor league system, with the goal of developing local talent and building a robust infrastructure for cricket in the country.
As the MLC continues to expand, the impact on the global cricket landscape will be significant. The league’s ambitious plans to establish a thriving 10-team league, develop a comprehensive player development system, and potentially challenge the status quo in traditional cricket strongholds like England, signal a pivotal moment for the sport’s future in the United States.
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