The Rise of Cricket in the U.S.: High-Profile Investors Bet Big on Major League Cricket
Cricket may not be as popular a sport in the U.S. as elsewhere in the world, but that is about to change with the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S. for the first time. High-profile CEOs and investors are making significant investments to bring cricket into the mainstream in America.
Key executives like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen are among the investors in the new U.S. professional league, Major League Cricket. Other investors include Iconic Ventures, Madrona Venture Group, and executives from Google. These individuals are determined to see if cricket can become a mainstream sport in the U.S.
Soma Somasegar, venture capitalist and managing director at Madrona, expressed his excitement about the potential for cricket in the U.S. He and Nadella are key owners of Seattle’s cricket team, the Orcas, and they are also investors in the league as a whole.
Nearly $850 million is currently being invested in building a viable cricket league in the U.S., with six professional teams expected to spend between $75 million and $100 million each over the coming years. The T20 World Cup held in the U.S. and the West Indies is adding to the excitement, with the recent victory of the U.S. team over Pakistan near Dallas.
The goal is to make cricket a mainstream sport in the U.S., targeting the incredibly loyal fans from South Asia who live in the country. The U.S. sports scene may be tough to crack, but with the growing interest in cricket and the investments being made, the future looks promising.
With the support of high-profile investors and a dedicated fan base, cricket is on the rise in the U.S. The upcoming matches in the T20 World Cup and the development of Major League Cricket are sure to elevate the sport’s status and popularity in the country. Exciting times lie ahead for cricket enthusiasts in America.
