USA Cricket has taken an important step to avoid losing its ICC Associate Nation status by appointing Jonathan Atkieson as its new CEO, starting August 1.
Earlier this month, the ICC warned USA Cricket for breaking two rules. By hiring Atkieson, they have met one of the two critical requirements to stay in good standing.
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One issue was not having a CEO, and the other was not meeting governance rules set by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
Every sports governing body needs National Governing Body (NGB) status for sports included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Last year, during its 141st Session and Executive Board meeting in Mumbai, the International Olympic Committee approved cricket for the Los Angeles Games.
USA Cricket announced on its website that Jonathan Atkeison will be their new CEO starting August 1, 2024. Atkeison was previously the Chief Operating Officer of USA Rugby and brings over 15 years of experience with national governing bodies.
Jonathan Atkieson said, “I’m honored to join USA Cricket. It’s an exciting time for the sport in the United States with the men’s national team’s historic performance in the recent T20 World Cup, the second season of Major League Cricket, and the chance to showcase cricket in the LA28 Olympics.”
“Our goal is to build a world-class organization and firmly establish cricket in the American sports landscape,” he added.
Atkeison is known for leading USA Rugby through a financial restructuring in 2020, followed by four years of rapid growth and development.