America’s Major League Cricket Debut Surpassed Expectations On And Off The Field

Forbes ^ | 9.27.2023 | Tristan Lavalette

[libh8er]

Having "exceeded all expectations", with stirring contests in front of heaving crowds helping surpass its financial targets, the historic Major League Cricket has the foundations to build on as it eyes an expanded second season.

The debut of the well-heeled T20 tournament, as cricket seriously enters the world's biggest sports market, was deemed a resounding success. Even no nonsense Sunil Gavaskar, the Indian cricket legend and broadcaster at the MLC, was left impressed.

"He (Gavaskar) told me the quality of the cricket was high," Anand Rajaraman, San Francisco Unicorns co-owner, told me. "He felt the international players were giving it their all and that the pitches were good, which is a ringing endorsement.

"The overseas players said the ground and pitch in Dallas was as good as anywhere they've played around the world.

"The tournament exceeded all expectations."

There was much anticipation over the MLC's launch with a lot riding on it considering the maligned status of American cricket over the years.

With over $100 million invested, aided by influential Indian businessmen some of whom are ensconced in Silicon Valley, the six-team tournament was able to lure high-profile international cricketers through attractive salaries.

With the U.S. home to a growing South Asian populace, there were plenty of passionate cricket fans eager to watch the matches in person even though some of the matches were rather bafflingly played in the sweltering Dallas heat.

[Svartalfiar]

Huh. I live in the Dallas area and this is the first I’ve heard about this!