Dealing in Cricket

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and the USA Cricket Association (USACA) have announced an historic deal that is designed to grow the game exponentially in one of the ICC’s target markets. The partnership establishes a newly formed entity, Cricket Holdings America LLC, which will hold a majority of the commercial rights to cricket in the United States. This includes potentially valuable Twenty2 rights and the ability to stage a franchise-based Twenty2 league. New Zealand will play an agreed number of matches in the United States as well as make its players available to participate in any future Twenty2 leagues, as part of the partnership. NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said: “We have historically punched above our weight through leadership and innovation. Cricket Holdings America LLC is a significant step in diversifying our long-term revenue base and in the process, growing a new market.”