ICC Searches for U.S. Cricket CEO

When the International Cricket Committee (ICC) turns its gaze to cricket in the U.S., it sees a valuable market with huge revenue potential.

To this end, the ICC announced Thursday it would work with the United States Cricket Association of America (USACA) to hire a national CEO to take control. "The CEO's primary initial task will be to try to secure the support of ICC Full Member nations to participate in a One-Day International cricket tournament in the USA and to arrange the staging of any such event there," the ICC said.

The CEO will report to a sub-committee comprising representatives from the ICC, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the USACA and the position will initially be underwritten by the ICC.

The appointment of a CEO in the U.S. was described as the "first step of a special project targeted at increasing the profile of the sport and participation levels in the USA."

"Any income from international events staged in the USA will pave the way for investment in appropriate professional staffing, coach education, schools programmes, facility developments and competition structures."

ICC boss Malcolm Speed made it clear the financial value of the U.S. market was the principal reason for hte move. "There is no suggestion that cricket is trying to take on the major American team sports in their own back yard...There are already over 500 active cricket clubs in the USA and the aim of this project is to build on this solid foundation to help increase the reach of the sport."

The U.S. city of Lauderhill in Florida is in the running to host World Cup matches in 2007 and the latest move by the ICC is seen as an attempt to lend some credibility to Lauderhill's bidding efforts.

Lauderhill, along with co-host Broward County, has already gone public with its plans for a multi-purpose stadium for cricket, baseball and soccer (see stadium plans at link).