Cricket Takes Root in America

Strategic Insights -

Cricket, long considered an enigmatic and exclusive sport, is slowly making inroads in the United States. The recent international game between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, marked a significant milestone in the sport's history on American soil. Americans, however, remain puzzled by the game's rules and conventions, which differ significantly from more popular sports like baseball and football. Despite this, cricket's popularity is growing, with the game becoming increasingly mainstream in the US.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cricket has become a big-money sport, with average salaries for players in the Indian Premier League reaching $3.6 million, second only to the NBA.
  • The game played in Florida between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was a major success, attracting 10,000 ticket holders and receiving positive coverage from ESPN.
  • The USA Cricket Association, led by CEO Don Lockerbie, has launched a "Destination USA" program to promote cricket in the US and attract international teams.
  • The new format of the game, known as T20, has cut down playing time from five days to three hours, making it more appealing to fans.
  • The sport is gaining traction in the US, with amateur teams playing in informal leagues and some enterprising Americans organizing cricket leagues and tournaments.
  • The American cricket team has shown little promise, with only one American-born player, 16-year-old Steven Taylor, participating in the recent game.
  • The visiting teams have been vocal about the sport's potential in the US, with some players holding fielding practice with the Florida Marlins baseball team.

Statistics:

  • The average salary for a cricket player in the Indian Premier League is $3.6 million.
  • The game between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Florida attracted 10,000 ticket holders.
  • ESPN's coverage of the game reached an estimated 100 million viewers in 88 countries.
  • The "Destination USA" program aims to attract international teams to the US and promote cricket nationwide.
  • The USA Cricket Association has built a dedicated cricket facility in Fort Lauderdale, the only one in North America, at a cost of $70 million.

Sources:

  • "Cricket Mania Takes America by Storm" by Shahan Mufti, GlobalPost, June 2, 2010.
  • "Indian Premier League: Average Salary $3.6 Million" by anonymous, independent survey of international sports, March [undated].
  • "T20 cricket boosts viewership, revenue" by BBC News, [undated].