SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Feb. 16, 2023) – Cricket NSW (CNSW) has launched an historic strategic partnership with Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States that will include collaboration on player development initiatives, touring opportunities and coaching education exchanges.
To further strengthen ties with the most exciting new frontier of the global T20 landscape, CNSW has also agreed to a high-performance partnership with the Washington D.C. franchise that will be one of six founding teams in the opening season of MLC when it launches on July 13, 2023.
The six teams from major metropolitan areas – representing Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Seattle and New York City – will each boast multiple global stars on their rosters alongside the best talent based in the United States, playing in the 18-day tournament.
This new initiative will serve to expand the reach of both CNSW and MLC globally, serving as a key step in CNSW’s efforts to be a force in the global cricket ecosystem and helping to fast-track the growth of American cricket.
The wide-ranging partnership will see MLC and CNSW collaborate to develop and grow a world-class cricketing system and professional T20 league in the United States. The partnership will initially focus on a number of high-performance oriented initiatives, including:
• Player development opportunities for U.S.-based players within the NSW Premier Cricket competition and CNSW training environment.
• Opportunities for teams comprised of U.S.-based players to tour NSW and compete against CNSW representative teams.
• The development of further professional cricket content to be staged in the U.S. market.
• An exchange program for coaches and support staff to be embedded within the Australian Men’s and Women’s Big Bash and the American MLC or Minor League Cricket ecosystems.
• Playing opportunities for NSW-based players in the USA.
The professional services agreement with the Washington D.C. franchise, and its lead investor Sanjay Govil (Founder and Chairman of Infinite Computer Solutions and CEO, Zyter), will focus on preparing the franchise for the first season of MLC, with a view to establishing a long-term partnership.
The services will initially include the preparation of the player roster for Washington D.C. and development of team-related high performance services including coaching, sports science and sports medicine, performance analysis and team operations.
CNSW representatives will attend the inaugural MLC Draft, to be held on March 19 at the iconic Space Center Houston, the official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center, as they build the Washington D.C. roster.
The draft will follow the MLC Domestic Player Combine, due to be held at the MLC National Cricket Center at Prairie View Cricket Complex (PVCC) near Houston from March 4-16.
CNSW CEO, Lee Germon, said the innovative partnership structure allows all three organizations a win-win-win opportunity.
“With the global cricket landscape currently undergoing significant transition, we view the United States as a market with immense growth potential,” Germon said.
“Our productive engagement with MLC in recent months makes it clear there is a firm alignment on a shared vision for the league and we look forward to progressing this relationship ahead of MLC’s launch season.
“Cricket NSW’s track record in high performance cricket and elite match operations is second to none and we believe we can bring a raft of experience to MLC and the Washington D.C. franchise in the coming years.”