USA Cricket has taken a significant step towards securing its future by appointing Jonathan Atkeison as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1st, 2024. This appointment addresses one of the two critical requirements set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to avoid disqualification as an Associate nation. Earlier this month, the ICC placed USA Cricket on notice for failing to comply with two crucial norms. The first was the lack of a CEO, and the second was the failure to meet the governance standards set by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
To achieve National Governing Body (NGB) status, a requirement for all sports included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, USA Cricket needed to comply with these regulations. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had approved the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles Games during its 141st Session and Executive Board meeting in Mumbai last year.
Atkeison, who most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of USA Rugby, brings over 15 years of experience in national governing body operations to his new role. “I’m honored to join the team at USA Cricket,” Atkeison stated. “It’s an incredible time for the sport here in the United States with the historic performance of the men’s national team in the recent T20 World Cup, the completion of the second season of Major League Cricket, and the first opportunity to showcase cricket in the Olympics here on home soil during the LA28 games.”
His vision for USA Cricket is ambitious. “Our goal is to build a world-class organization to capitalize on that momentum, and firmly establish cricket’s position in the American sporting landscape,” he added. Atkeison’s prior experience includes leading USA Rugby through a financial restructuring in 2020, followed by a period of significant growth and development.
With the appointment of Atkeison, USA Cricket has taken a major step forward in securing its place in the international cricket community and in preparing for the historic opportunity to showcase the sport on the world stage at the Los Angeles Olympics.
