Johnathan Atkeison appointed as new CEO of USA Cricket
USA Cricket has announced the appointment of Johnathan Atkeison as their new CEO. Atkeison, who is currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at USA Rugby, will step into the role immediately. This position had been vacant since March following the controversial dismissal of Dr. Noor Mohammad.
Atkeison’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for USA Cricket. The organization is under scrutiny from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has issued a notice of suspension due to the lack of a full-time CEO and the failure to gain recognition from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
With 13 years of experience in USA Rugby, Atkeison brings significant administrative expertise. However, he faces the challenge of adapting to the new sport and addressing the internal political issues within USA Cricket. Recently, allegations of corruption and harassment have been made against the board’s chairman and his associates, highlighting the ongoing internal turmoil.
Additionally, Atkeison will need to navigate the complex relationship between USA Cricket and their strategic partner ACE, the owners of Major League Cricket (MLC). The discord between these entities has negatively impacted national players, particularly regarding funding for player contracts.
The position of CEO at USA Cricket has seen high turnover, with previous CEOs, including Iain Higgins, Vinay Bhimjiani, and Dr. Noor Mohammad, leaving amid internal conflicts. Atkeison also inherits a team weakened by the departure of key employees such as Jamie Paul Lloyd and Julia Abbott.
In his first statement as CEO, Atkeison expressed optimism and ambition: “I’m honored to join the team at USA Cricket. It’s an incredible time for the sport here in the United States with the historic performance of the men’s national team in the recent T20 World Cup, the completion of the second season of Major League Cricket, and the first opportunity to showcase cricket in the Olympics here on home soil during the LA28 games. Our goal is to build a world-class organization to capitalize on that momentum, and firmly establish cricket’s position in the American sporting landscape.”