#Cricket in #America
The idea of a T20 League in America is nearing close to an eventual start. Here's a quick & short #thread on what's happening there.
Major League Cricket (#MLC) will be hosting its first player draft on March 9 at the NASA Space Centre in Houston, Texas.
+
The idea of a T20 League in America is nearing close to an eventual start. Here's a quick & short #thread on what's happening there.
Major League Cricket (#MLC) will be hosting its first player draft on March 9 at the NASA Space Centre in Houston, Texas.
+
It's finally all happening and you can see the footprints of #IPL already in a substantial manner.
But before I get to that, here's a bit on the draft.
Cricketers from all over the world who've settled in / relocated to America over the years will be part of the draft.
+
But before I get to that, here's a bit on the draft.
Cricketers from all over the world who've settled in / relocated to America over the years will be part of the draft.
+
For instance, Corey Anderson now lives in Dallas. Unmukt Chand is based out of Philadelphia. Liam Plunkett lives there too. There are more.
Then there are cricketers playing MLC Div-2 (the feeder line). In 1st week of March, I'm hearing there's a scouting programmed planned.
+
Then there are cricketers playing MLC Div-2 (the feeder line). In 1st week of March, I'm hearing there's a scouting programmed planned.
+
That aside, franchises will be allowed to rope in overseas names for the league through personal negotiations.
Which means top T20 overseas names -- whoever is available -- may not be part of the draft.
The big challenge in US -- the way I see it -- is the infrastructure.
+
Which means top T20 overseas names -- whoever is available -- may not be part of the draft.
The big challenge in US -- the way I see it -- is the infrastructure.
+
But I'm sure good things will happen because the league's definitely in good hands.
USA Cricket has a strong strategic partner in ACE (American Cricket Enterprises) -- company that runs Willow TV, a major cricket broadcaster in USA that also recently invested in IPL rights.
+
USA Cricket has a strong strategic partner in ACE (American Cricket Enterprises) -- company that runs Willow TV, a major cricket broadcaster in USA that also recently invested in IPL rights.
+
ACE has the backing of the Times Group.
In fact, the entire cricketing dream in America, in its present form, is the idea of Mr Satyan Gajwani, the vice chairman at Times Internet and to some extent Mr Vineet Jain, the managing director of the Times Group.
+
In fact, the entire cricketing dream in America, in its present form, is the idea of Mr Satyan Gajwani, the vice chairman at Times Internet and to some extent Mr Vineet Jain, the managing director of the Times Group.
+
The vision has been in the making for quite some time now.
Shahrukh Khan's Knight Riders were among the early investors in the league. So was Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (personal capacity.
I can tell you, some other very big names, including some IPL owners, want in too.
+
Shahrukh Khan's Knight Riders were among the early investors in the league. So was Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (personal capacity.
I can tell you, some other very big names, including some IPL owners, want in too.
+
What's being debated right now is the "entry cost".
Potential investors expect ACE to give all participants an equal ground at the entry level and considering how the league is still in the process of taking birth, it's only a fair ask, say industry executives.
+
Potential investors expect ACE to give all participants an equal ground at the entry level and considering how the league is still in the process of taking birth, it's only a fair ask, say industry executives.
+
So, it's a matter of time before this gets settled & cricket finds feet in the land of baseball.
Btw, Americans who are still trying to differentiate baseball from cricket -- answer is "physics". 😄
The moment ball lands on the surface before reaching the bat, magic begins.
+
Btw, Americans who are still trying to differentiate baseball from cricket -- answer is "physics". 😄
The moment ball lands on the surface before reaching the bat, magic begins.
+
Want to understand cricket, start from there. : )
As potential investors negotiate, a lot is waiting to happen and here's where you'll get all updates.
----
Side note:
Meanwhile, stakeholders must be careful of there being huge potential for dirty politics too.
+
As potential investors negotiate, a lot is waiting to happen and here's where you'll get all updates.
----
Side note:
Meanwhile, stakeholders must be careful of there being huge potential for dirty politics too.
+
USA is a destination that offers great opportunities and so, everybody wants to ride that cart, irrespective of whether they belong.
Here's where the wheat has to separate from the chaff. I'll explain this another day.
Today, let's stick to the draft.
Best wishes!
##
Here's where the wheat has to separate from the chaff. I'll explain this another day.
Today, let's stick to the draft.
Best wishes!
##
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
