Major League Cricket CEO Johnny Grave [Photo: Major League Cricket]

Major League Cricket, which has a team based in Grand Prairie, has appointed Johnny Grave as CEO of the professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United States.

“The MLC Board is excited to welcome Johnny as the new CEO of Major League Cricket,” Anurag Jain, board member and human resources committee member of MLC and co-owner of the Texas Super Kings, said in a statement. “His deep understanding of the sport, vision for the future, and expertise in sports management will be invaluable as we continue to grow the sport across the United States and prepare for cricket to be on the global stage during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.”

The league said that Grave brings nearly 25 years of leadership experience in international cricket.

As CEO of Cricket West Indies for the past seven years, Grave enhanced the governance, cultivated a high-performance culture, and maximized the commercial and cricketing opportunities for the organization, the league said. Also, Grave oversaw three World Cups hosted in the West Indies and was the T20 World Cup CEO for the 2024 men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted with the U.S. in June.

As commercial director at the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) in England for 10 years, Grave drove strategic planning, financial growth, and operational management.

“We are confident that Johnny’s leadership will be a key driver as we continue to grow Major League Cricket,” Venky Harinarayan, board member of MLC, said in a statement. “His extensive experience in international cricket and deep connections within the global cricketing community will be crucial as we expand the league, enhance our partnerships, and increase fan engagement in the U.S.”

‘Transformative time’ for U.S. cricket

As CEO, Grave will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of MLC’s operations, including league expansion, team development, and strategic partnerships. Grave will focus on further strengthening MLC’s position as the premier professional cricket league in the United States.

“I am honored to lead the league at this transformative time,” Grave said in a statement. “Cricket is beloved globally and I am thrilled to see its fan base growing rapidly in the United States. I look forward to working with the MLC team to help elevate the league, engage with fans, and build a thriving, sustainable future for cricket in America.”

MLC said Grave’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the league enters its third season and prepares for expansion in the U.S. market with plans to expand to more cities in the coming years.

MLC said that cricket is being re-introduced at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California after it was last played in the Summer Olympics in 1900. With plans to expand to more cities in the coming years, MLC said it is primed to become a central figure in the global cricket ecosystem.

MLC’s 2025 season opens in June with ticket sales beginning in May.

Major League Cricket is the first professional Twenty20 franchise cricket championship in the United States.

Six teams make up the MLC and include the Texas Super Kings, Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, and Washington Freedom.

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