USA Cricket has selected American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) as its "strategic partner for the development of a professional T20 tournament in the U.S.," according to Tristan Lavalette of FORBES. ACE is backed by the founders of cricket-focused U.S. channel Willow TV and The Times of India Group Principals Satyan Gajwani and Vineet Jain. Willow TV has "more than four million subscribers and is the main U.S. broadcaster for major international cricket." USA Cricket’s long-term agreement with ACE will result in over $1B "invested into the development of cricket domestically." Highlighting the deal will be the "launch of a professional T20 league" slated for '21. ACE said that it had "commenced major infrastructure investment toward international venues in several cities." ACE won the tender "over a joint bid led by Jay Pandya’s Global Sports Ventures." USA Cricket Chair and 49ers President Paraag Marathe said, "This is a watershed moment for cricket in the United States and we look forward to a long-lasting, successful partnership." Sources have previously said that there is "anticipation that a World Cup -- most likely T20 -- will be staged in the U.S. within the next decade." USA Cricket's "historic announcement could very well make those dreams a reality, perhaps sooner rather later" (FORBES.com, 5/24).
