USA Cricket moves closer to emerging from bankruptcy after court ruling

According to a report from Cricbuzz, USA Cricket has moved a major step closer to emerging from bankruptcy after a United States bankruptcy court approved a settlement with American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), ending years of legal disputes and administrative infighting that had severely damaged the sport’s growth in the country.

The agreement restores the commercial partnership between USA Cricket and ACE, which had broken down over disagreements surrounding a landmark 2019 deal. As part of the settlement, ACE will provide more than $1.1 million in financial support, including funding to help USA Cricket complete the bankruptcy process and resume operations. ACE has also agreed to withdraw its massive $150 million claim against the governing body.

The ruling marks the end of a long-running conflict involving former USA Cricket officials and ACE over commercial rights and governance issues. The prolonged dispute left USA Cricket struggling financially, limiting investment in the national teams and reducing international cricket opportunities in the United States despite the men’s team’s historic run to the Super Eight stage at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

How USA Cricket reached this point

USA Cricket’s troubles worsened in 2025 when the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended the governing body after repeated warnings over governance failures, internal conflicts and administrative shortcomings. The same year, USA Cricket attempted to terminate its agreement with ACE, triggering a legal battle that eventually led the organisation to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

A court-appointed trustee later took control of USA Cricket’s affairs and negotiated the settlement with ACE. Several former officials and stakeholders opposed the agreement, but Judge Michael E. Romero rejected those objections and approved the deal, concluding that it represented a reasonable path forward.

What happens next?

The decision comes at a significant time for cricket in the United States, with increased private investment and preparations underway for cricket’s return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“We are pleased that the Court has approved the settlement and financing arrangements. We recognize this has been a challenging period for everyone involved in U.S. cricket.

Throughout this process, our objective has remained the same: to support the long-term future of cricket in the United States while ensuring that USA Cricket has a realistic pathway to emerge from bankruptcy and restore its membership with the ICC,” said Johnny Grave, CEO of Major League Cricket.

Attention will now turn to the ICC and the court-appointed trustee, who are expected to oversee the rebuilding of USA Cricket through a transitional governance structure before full elections are eventually restored.