Cricket, a sport that may not be as mainstream in the United States as it is in other parts of the world, is beginning to gain traction thanks to the efforts of some prominent CEOs and investors. The Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, hosted in the U.S. for the first time, has spurred nearly a billion dollars in investment towards the development of Major League Cricket. High-profile individuals such as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, and executives from companies like Google have shown interest in the new U.S. professional league.
Currently, there are six professional teams in Major League Cricket, each expected to invest between $75 million and $100 million over the next few years. This investment will cover the costs of assembling a team, hiring the right talent, and constructing stadiums for live cricket matches. The total investment in the league is reported to be nearly $850 million, with the goal of establishing cricket as a mainstream sport in the U.S.
The T20 World Cup, being held in the U.S. and the West Indies, has generated significant excitement among cricket fans. A recent match where the U.S. team defeated Pakistan near Dallas has drawn attention, with fans eagerly anticipating the India vs. Pakistan match at the newly developed Nassau County stadium in New York. The high demand for tickets for this match reflects the growing interest in cricket in the U.S.
Venture capitalist Satyan Gajwani, the vice chairman of Times Internet and an investor in Major League Cricket, emphasized the importance of appealing to the South Asian diaspora in the U.S. He noted that there are approximately five million dedicated fans of cricket in the country, including expats from the U.K. and Australia. With South Asians having the highest gross income among ethnic groups in the U.S., there is significant potential for spending on sports and entertainment.
While the popularity of basketball and football in the U.S. presents a challenge for cricket to establish itself as a mainstream sport, there are opportunities to attract fans through avenues like baseball. M.R. Rangaswami, founder and chairman of Indiaspora, highlighted the similarities between cricket and baseball, suggesting that fans of the latter could find interest in the former. Despite the competitive sports landscape in the U.S., the growing investment and interest in cricket indicate a shifting tide in the country’s sports culture.
The rising popularity of cricket in the U.S. is evident through the significant investments made by high-profile individuals and the excitement surrounding international tournaments. With a focus on engaging the South Asian community and appealing to a broader audience, cricket has the potential to become a mainstream sport in the United States. While there are challenges to overcome, the passion and dedication of investors and fans alike point towards a promising future for cricket in the U.S.