The ICC has pledged direct financial and operational support for USA’s international cricketers, stepping in to ensure players are insulated from the ongoing crisis engulfing USA Cricket (USAC) as the nation prepares for a demanding international schedule.
Following USAC’s suspension in September over what the ICC described as serious breaches of membership requirements, the situation deteriorated further when the organisation filed for bankruptcy after terminating its long-term commercial agreement with American Cricket Enterprise (ACE). With governance and funding structures effectively paralysed, the ICC has moved to protect players and high-performance staff from the fallout.
In a statement, the ICC confirmed it is prepared to assume responsibility for the USA High Performance Programme during the suspension period. This includes funding and, if necessary, administering all aspects of the programme, as well as honouring contractual obligations to players selected for national teams.
“The ICC is ready to provide funding for, and, if required, run the entire USA High Performance Programme during USAC’s suspension, including ensuring that players continue to be paid,” the statement said.
The intervention comes at a critical time. USA teams are scheduled to compete in the Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe from January, the Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February–March, and, in the longer term, the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 — cricket’s first Olympic appearance in more than a century.
The ICC made it clear it will not allow administrative dysfunction to undermine USA’s participation or competitiveness at global tournaments, nor disrupt preparations for cricket’s return to the Olympic programme at LA28. It also revealed that it had previously offered USAC a loan to help cover player and staff salaries after the bankruptcy filing — an offer that was declined.
“Given that USA Cricket did not accept that support, the ICC is now exploring options to make payments directly to players and staff, where appropriate, on USAC’s behalf,” the governing body said.
To further safeguard cricket’s Olympic pathway, the ICC is working closely with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to develop a stable, long-term high-performance structure independent of USAC’s current instability.
“Our foremost responsibility is to the players who represent the United States on the world stage,” an ICC spokesperson said. “The bankruptcy proceedings initiated by USA Cricket will not derail their preparation for ICC events or the LA28 Olympic Games. The ICC stands ready to manage and fund the high-performance programme so players continue to receive the support they deserve.
“We are also collaborating closely with the USOPC to build a sustainable and effective pathway towards LA28. The future of USA’s players, and the growth of cricket in a key market, remains a major priority.”
Meanwhile, the ICC’s Normalisation Committee will continue its efforts to address long-standing governance challenges within US cricket. Until those issues are resolved, the ICC will directly oversee the sanctioning of domestic competitions, including Major League Cricket, to ensure continuity and stability in the sport’s ecosystem across the country.
