USACA Wants to Create 20/20 League

July 16, 2009

According to a press release sent to this web site, Nigel Rushman, Chairman of Rushmans, has been contracted by USACA to serve as commercial advisor to USA Cricket in its efforts to implement a global 20/20 league along the lines of the highly successful IPL. The press release stated that on Thursday USA Cricket Association issued a Request for Proposals for the formation of Twenty20 format USA Premier League and the wider commercial development of cricket in the country. USACA wants to identify potential partners, sponsors and broadcasters. Adviser Rushman said in a statement: "We are confident that, with the right partners, the USA can host a world class Premier League which will fill grounds and attract massive television and online audiences." The closing day for receipt of proposals is Friday 7th August, stated the release.

Among the services sought by USACA in its Request for Proposal is developing and managing major cricket events as part Destination USA – a key component of CEO Don Lockerbie’s vision for the development of USA cricket . Their hunger for cricket and willingness to watch cricket on Pay-Per-View television has made the USA the second highest pay television earner in the world, behind India.
The USA is also the world’s second biggest Internet cricket market.  The ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 attracted 1.15 billion hits within the USA, only fractionally behind India. The International Cricket Council has strategic plans to develop the game in potential growth markets and the USA, with its established broadcast and Internet appetite for the game, allied to a strong player base, fits the bill in many respects.
Among the services sought by USACA in its Request for Proposals are:

1.  Identifying potential partnerships and securing corporate sponsorships;
2.  Developing and managing major cricket events as part of USACA’s ‘Destination USA’;
3.  Strategically planning and implementing a Twenty20 Professional League;
4.  Negotiating TV / Radio broadcast rights for USA cricket events;
5.  Developing and managing the public relations and media management of USACA;
6.  Developing and managing a profitable website and social networking platform;
7.  Creating merchandising deals with an online store to attract 15 million cricket fans known to live in the USA.
8.  Creating and managing VIP/ Sponsor hospitality and travel programmes for ICC and USA Cricket events. 
9.  Developing and implementing other revenue generating programs for USACA