American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), which runs Major League Cricket, has initiated legal proceedings against USA Cricket (USAC) on Tuesday for “improper termination”. The dispute centres on USAC’s recent termination of their 50-year partnership agreement, established in 2019, which ACE claims was “improper”.This conflict threatens cricket’s development in the USA, the future of the MLC, the development league (MiLC), and the sport’s return to the Olympics at LA 2028. It also creates uncertainty for players ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.The trouble began in August when USAC ended its four-year commercial partnership with ACE, claiming unpaid dues to national team and staff. ACE strongly disputed this, saying they had offered more money than agreed. The situation got messier when USAC briefly suspended the termination, only to reinstate it on September 16 without proper discussions.An ACE press release said on Wednesday: “USAC’s handling of the ACE agreement has been chaotic and reckless. It is emblematic of USAC’s bad faith. A small group of USAC directors have chosen to prioritise politics rather than preparing teams that can build on their recent successes.“These actions have jeopardised ACE’s significant investments into US cricket over the last six years, as well as the continued success of cricket in the US.“USAC’s wrongful conduct cannot go unanswered, so today, ACE filed legal proceedings against USAC regarding its improper termination of the ACE agreement.”The dispute has created major concerns for USA cricket players. ACE is a crucial organisation that runs the country’s top cricket tournament (MLC), its development league, and owns important training facilities across the country, including the High Performance Centre in Dallas.“Despite ACE’s work and successes, on August 21, 2025, USAC wrongfully terminated its agreement with ACE on manufactured grounds and publicly announced that decision. Just seven days later, USAC seemingly realised the baselessness of its termination and suspended it. While USAC agreed that the parties’ agreement would be in full force and effect during the suspension period, USAC refused to issue a joint statement with ACE informing the cricket community and stakeholders of the true status,” continued the press release.“USAC then unilaterally reinstated its original termination, effective today, without holding any meaningful discussions directly with ACE.”The timing is particularly worrying as it comes shortly after the successful 2025 MLC season and close to the upcoming T20 World Cup. ACE had planned important training camps featuring matches against West Indies A.“By terminating their relationship with ACE, USAC is showing complete disregard for these national and youth team players, as well as the millions of cricket fans in the US who just enjoyed a record-breaking season of MLC and saw the US Men’s team reach the Super8s in the T20 World Cup in 2024,” clarified ACE on the future of the sport.The standoff puts at risk ACE’s six years of investment in US cricket development and threatens the sport’s growth in the country. In the media release, ACE reiterated its commitment to the growth of the sport in the region. “ACE and its partners have invested over $150 million since 2019 in MLC and MiLC, world-class stadiums and facilities, and pathways for American players to succeed on the global stage. Despite these efforts, USA Cricket (USAC) has once again demonstrated reckless governance and bad faith conduct that undermines the sport of cricket and communities that USAC claims to serve.“
