ICC Vows Support for US Team Amidst Governance Turmoil
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced in a press release on Monday its dedication to safeguarding the interests of players from the USA cricket team amidst ongoing governance and financial issues within USA Cricket (USAC).
The ICC Board suspended USAC on September 23 due to “serious breaches of the ICC Membership Criteria,” but emphasized that this decision should not negatively impact the players or their preparations for forthcoming events like the ICC Men’s Under 19 World Cup 2026, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
According to the release, the ICC is prepared to finance all aspects of the USA High Performance Programme and pay players under contract with USAC during the Board’s suspension.
The ICC proposed to fund USA Cricket through a loan aligned with Chapter 11 legal procedures that included covering all salaries for players and High-Performance staff, but USA Cricket did not accept this offer. Consequently, the ICC is exploring direct payment options on behalf of USA Cricket, where applicable.
An ICC spokesperson stated: “Our primary obligation is to support players representing the United States on the global stage. USA Cricket’s bankruptcy proceedings will not hinder their preparations for ICC events or the LA28 Olympic Games. The ICC commits to managing and funding the High-Performance Programme, ensuring ongoing support for all national team players. We are working with the USOPC to develop a strong and stable high-performance pathway for LA28. The future of USA’s players and the sport’s expansion in a crucial market remain top priorities for the ICC.”
The USA has secured a place in next year’s T20 World Cup following its remarkable progress in the 2024 edition, where it defeated Pakistan to advance to the Super Eight stage.
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The ICC noted that as a result of USAC’s suspension, it lost the right to sanction domestic cricket in the USA. Consequently, the ICC has assumed this responsibility during USAC’s suspension, as it has done in similar past situations.
This development places Major League Cricket (MLC)—the USA’s premier T20 franchise league—under ICC jurisdiction. The future of MLC, which has completed three seasons, is uncertain after USA Cricket ended its commercial agreement with American Cricket Enterprise Inc. (ACE) earlier this year.
Legal Developments
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado has currently declined to overturn USA Cricket’s Subchapter V status or appoint a Chapter 11 trustee, despite significant concerns regarding the national body’s governance and reorganization capability. In a December 15, 2025, order, Judge Michael E. Romero denied a motion filed by ACE, backed by several interested parties, including the ICC.
The court acknowledged that “several parties in interest filed responses to ACE’s Motion, including the International Cricket Council (‘ICC’)… These parties concur with ACE that the Debtor’s current governance is dysfunctional and incapable of proposing a confirmable plan of reorganization.”
However, the judge upheld the United States Trustee’s objection, ruling that USA Cricket remains legally eligible to continue under Subchapter V, and the court should refrain from intervening until the process is complete.
Judge Romero flagged missed filings, board uncertainty, and internal deadlock but asserted that revoking Subchapter V status or appointing a trustee would be premature, as USA Cricket’s 90-day deadline to submit a reorganization plan has not yet expired. The order, however, included a stern warning: USA Cricket must submit a viable Subchapter V plan by December 30, 2025. Failure to do so may lead the court to revisit the option of de-designation and appointing an independent Chapter 11 trustee.
Published on Dec 22, 2025
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