Dubai [UAE], December 23 (HBTV): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interests of USA national team players and ensuring uninterrupted preparation for major global sporting events, including the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, despite the ongoing governance and financial crisis within USA Cricket.
According to an ICC media release, USA Cricket has voluntarily initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, describing the move as a ‘structural reorganisation’. This followed the ICC Board’s decision on September 23 to suspend USA Cricket for serious breaches of the ICC Membership Criteria.
The ICC said it had made clear at the time of the suspension that governance and financial instability within USA Cricket must not penalise or disadvantage national team players, who continue to represent the sport with professionalism and commitment.
In line with this approach, the ICC confirmed that it is prepared to fund and, if necessary, manage all aspects of the USA High Performance Programme during USA Cricket’s suspension. This includes honouring obligations to pay players selected and contracted to represent USA teams. The ICC said it will not allow administrative dysfunction to compromise the USA’s participation and competitiveness at global events or undermine efforts to support cricket’s return to the Olympic Games, beginning with LA28.
The ICC further stated that it had offered financial support to USA Cricket in the form of a loan under the Chapter 11 legal process, which would have included payment of player and high-performance staff salaries. However, the offer was not accepted. The ICC is now examining whether it can make such payments directly on behalf of USA Cricket, where appropriate.
The council also confirmed that it is working closely with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to develop a robust high-performance structure ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics. This collaboration includes a consolidated training and preparation programme for both men’s and women’s national teams, enhanced coaching and sports science support, and a strengthened competition pathway to ensure players remain fully prepared for international competition.
The ICC said it is taking steps to guarantee continuity and stability for all national team players throughout the period of USA Cricket’s suspension. With cricket set to make its return to the Olympic Games, the ICC reiterated that operational readiness and long-term development of the USA teams remain a strategic priority.
An ICC spokesperson said, ‘Our foremost responsibility is to the players who represent the United States on the world stage. The bankruptcy proceedings initiated by USA Cricket should not, and 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 and ensure all national team players continue to receive the support they deserve,’ the spokesperson added.
‘We continue to work closely with the USOPC to build a robust and stable high-performance pathway for LA28. The future of USA’s players, and the sport’s growth in a key market, remains a major priority for the ICC,’ the spokesperson said.
The ICC said it will continue to operate through its Normalisation Committee to restore credible governance in the United States and stabilise cricket administration in the country, adding that further updates will be shared as the situation evolves.
The council also provided an update on the sanctioning of domestic cricket events in the USA during USA Cricket’s suspension. Following the suspension, USA Cricket lost its right to sanction domestic cricket events in the country under ICC regulations. The ICC has assumed this role for the duration of the suspension, as it has done in previous cases involving suspended member boards.
(ANI)