Jonathan Atkeison has been named CEO of USA Cricket. Currently serving as USA Rugby’s Chief Operating Officer, Atkeison is anticipated to take over the role immediately following the contentious termination of Dr. Noor Mohammad in March of this year.
Atkeison’s appointment occurs shortly after the Indian Cricket Board (ICC) placed the board on notice of suspension for failing to choose a full-time CEO and for failing to gain recognition from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
Atkeison, who has worked for the sport in the USA for nearly his whole professional career and spent 13 years at USA Rugby,
may find it difficult to adjust to the new sport’s environment, but his biggest test will be how well he can handle the internal political unrest and drama that has dogged the sport for ages. Cricbuzz published a story on Monday about the most recent development in which USAC directors accused the chairman and his “allies” of corruption and harassment.
Additionally, Atkeison will be caught in the midst of a standoff between USAC and their strategic ally, ACE, who owns MLC. Given USAC’s unwillingness to pay national player contracts, the incapacity of both sides to collaborate effectively is now well known and has mostly hurt the national players.
Since its founding, USAC has experienced a high rate of change in the CEO position. Following the contentious exit of its initial CEO, Iain Higgins, in December 2021, the board has had interim CEOs Vinay Bhimjiani and Dr. Noor Mohammad, both of whom experienced some internal conflict during their tenure. Additionally, Atkeison can have a staffing shortage with the departure of long-time workers like Jamie Paul Lloyd and Julia Abbott.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the USA Cricket team. With the men’s national team’s historic performance in the most recent T20 World Cup, Major League Cricket’s second season coming to an end, and the first chance to play cricket in the Olympics on American soil during the LA28 games, it’s an amazing time for the sport in the United States. Our objective is to create a top-tier organisation to take advantage of this momentum and solidify cricket’s place in American sports,” Atkeison stated.
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