Cricket, a sport that hasn’t gained as much popularity in the U.S. as in other parts of the world, is seeing a surge in investments from high-profile CEOs and investors. The Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the U.S. for the first time, has attracted nearly a billion dollars in investments for the new U.S. professional league, Major League Cricket. Key figures like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen have put their money into this ambitious venture. Other notable cricket investors include Iconic Ventures, Madrona Venture Group, and executives from Google.
Venture capitalist Soma Somasegar, who is a managing director at Madrona, expressed his excitement about the potential for cricket to become a mainstream sport in the U.S. He and Satya Nadella are proud owners of Seattle’s cricket team, the Orcas, and are also investors in Major League Cricket. Their long-standing passion for cricket and commitment to bringing the sport to America have driven their involvement in this initiative. The investment into building a sustainable cricket league in the U.S. currently stands at around $850 million, indicating a strong belief in the future of cricket in the country.
Major League Cricket has six professional teams, with each team expected to invest between $75 million and $100 million over the coming years. This investment encompasses team formation, talent acquisition, and infrastructure development to support live cricket matches. The presence of the T20 World Cup across different locations in the U.S. and the West Indies has further amplified the excitement around cricket in America. The recent victory of the U.S. team against Pakistan near Dallas has fueled anticipation for upcoming matches, particularly the India vs. Pakistan showdown at the Nassau County stadium in New York.
Targeting Cricket Enthusiasts
Anurag Jain, a venture capitalist and part owner of the San Francisco Unicorns team in Major League Cricket, emphasized the league’s goal of making cricket a mainstream sport in the U.S. Satyan Gajwani, the vice chairman of Times Internet and an investor in the U.S. league, highlighted the significant presence of cricket fans from South Asia in America. With exclusive streaming rights for cricket in North America, Gajwani’s Willow TV aims to cater to the dedicated fan base that closely follows the sport. The affluent South Asian community in the U.S., known for its high disposable income, presents a lucrative market for cricket-related entertainment and activities.
M.R. Rangaswami, the founder and chairman of Indiaspora, acknowledged the competitive nature of the U.S. sports landscape, dominated by basketball and football. He suggested that baseball fans could serve as a potential entry point for cricket’s growth, given the similarities between the two sports. Despite the prevailing sports preferences in America, the growing investments in Major League Cricket and the increasing support for cricket events indicate a promising future for the sport in the country.
The influx of investments and the strategic involvement of influential figures in the U.S. cricket ecosystem reflect a shared vision to elevate cricket to a mainstream sport in America. With concerted efforts to engage fans, build infrastructure, and leverage digital platforms for outreach, cricket is poised for a significant expansion within the U.S. sports industry. The upcoming matches and events present opportunities to showcase the appeal and excitement of cricket to a broader audience, paving the way for a new era of growth and development in American cricket.