USA Cricket risks suspension from ICC

The ICC has warned USA Cricket (USAC) that it risks being “put on notice” for not meeting its Associate membership criteria. This warning comes just a month after the USA co-hosted the T20 World Cup 2024 with the West Indies, showcasing games at three venues. The ICC’s long-held ambition of promoting cricket in North America now faces significant challenges.

The ICC’s warning highlights two main issues with USAC. First, USAC has not met the governance standards set by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Achieving these standards is essential for USAC to earn the National Governing Body (NGB) status, which is mandatory for all sports added to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Second, the ICC has criticized USAC for not having an adequate administrative structure, including not filling the vacant CEO position after the previous CEO was fired months into his job.

“USA Cricket is currently non-compliant with ICC Associate Member Membership Criteria 2.2(b)(i) (governance structure) and 2.2(b)(ii) (administrative and executive structure) and is at risk of being placed ‘On Notice’,” the ICC said in a note sent to its members attending the global cricket body’s AGM in Colombo on July 22.

The five-page document, titled “Associate Member Membership Update,” was sent on July 11 and accessed by ESPNcricinfo. The ICC noted that the USOPC had “expressed serious concerns” over USAC’s governance model. “The USOPC has written to the USAC expressing serious concerns about the ongoing governance of USAC. While this does not put USAC in breach of ICC Membership Criteria, it reflects broader concerns regarding USAC’s governance,” the note said.

The ICC also warned that if USAC fails to achieve NGB certification, the USOPC might recognize an alternative NGB for cricket. This could put USAC in breach of the ICC Membership Criteria, which require USAC to be recognized as the primary governing body responsible for cricket in the USA.

This is the second time this year the ICC has alerted USAC. In March, the ICC warned USAC about several issues, including its failure to become USOPC compliant and the lack of a CEO. The ICC also raised concerns about USAC not appointing an independent director to its Board.

In an email sent by ICC CEO Geoff Allardice to USAC chair Venu Piske, who was elected in July 2023, the ICC acknowledged the importance of the USA as a “cricket territory” but also noted the “long history of problems” with USAC. The ICC Board had considered suspending USAC’s membership in March but decided against it to avoid disrupting preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Instead, the ICC gave USAC a “last chance” to address the non-compliance issues.

As a primary punitive measure, the ICC Board stopped USAC’s annual funding until it met all membership criteria, allowing only “controlled funding” on an “exceptional basis” between April and July to ensure cricket in the USA was not adversely affected. During the T20 World Cup, ICC chair Greg Barclay and Allardice reiterated to USAC that it risked suspension if it failed to comply with membership criteria.

In the July AGM note, the ICC stated that USAC continued to be in breach and recommended stronger sanctions. “USAC still does not have a fit-for-purpose administrative structure. USAC does not currently have a CEO, having terminated the employment of their most recent one after only a few months in the role. A recruitment process for a replacement CEO has commenced. In April, the two remaining USAC Development staff (the Development Manager and Women’s Manager) resigned. A process to replace these staff has not yet commenced. Currently, replacement staff are temporary and part-time contractors,” the note said.

In response, USAC told the ICC on July 12 that it had appointed an independent director, Pintoo Shah, who also became the Treasurer. His appointment was ratified by the USAC Board on the same day. USAC explained that the delay in filling the independent position was due to amending its constitution to comply with USOPC regulations.

USAC’s email, copied to senior USOPC officials, argued that it was unfair for the ICC to threaten “drastic action” when USAC was working hard to meet compliance. USAC noted that it was informed of the NGB accreditation process only on January 24, making it unreasonable to expect compliance by March. The deadline for compliance submission to USOPC is September 30.

Regarding the vacant CEO position, USAC said it received several applications when it advertised the position in April and had shortlisted candidates, keeping ICC Americas in the loop. The new USAC CEO is expected to be appointed immediately after the ICC AGM.