U.S. Congressman calls for investigation by Department of Justice into ACE’s dealings with USA Cricket

Amid the ongoing logjam between USA Cricket and American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), U.S. Congressman Lance Gooden has called for federal intervention. Gooden, who represents Texas’s 5th District, has written to Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, urging an investigation into ACE.

A copy of the letter was also marked to U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and FBI director Kash Patel. Sportstar has obtained the document, dated August 21, which escalates scrutiny of the company at the centre of U.S. cricket’s governance crisis.

Gooden — a member of both the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Armed Services Committee — alleged that ACE may have violated U.S. antitrust and immigration laws. “ACE has been granted exclusive rights under the agreement with USAC, which may have misused this to block competing leagues from hosting tournaments.

“If true, such conduct restricts competition and stifles the growth of cricket in the country, constituting a possible violation of U.S. antitrust laws. ACE also appears to have seized exclusive control over the commercial activities of Team USA, including the selection of players by paying their salaries. This undermines USAC’s authority to manage Team USA, potentially violating the Ted Stevens Act, which governs amateur sports organizations in the U.S,” the letter read.

Additionally, the Congressman also wrote that “ACE has reportedly imported numerous players, coaches, and staff, possibly using USAC’s name and resources to support visa applications over the past six years. There are allegations that various visa categories have been misused, which may not accurately reflect the applicants’ status, raising concerns of potential immigration fraud.”

READ: USA Cricket terminates ACE deal amid governance dispute

The intervention comes just days after USAC terminated its long-term commercial agreement with ACE, a dramatic rupture in a partnership once billed as the cornerstone of cricket’s rise in the United States.

In 2019, USAC handed ACE — co-founded by Sameer Mehta, Satyan Gajwani, Vijay Srinivasan, and Vineet Jain — exclusive 50-year rights to operate elite T20 cricket in the country. In return, ACE pledged to fund national teams, build six stadiums, and launch professional leagues.

That alliance coincided with landmark milestones: the U.S. co-hosted the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, stunned Pakistan on its way to the Super 8s, and claimed the ICC’s Associate Member Men’s Team Performance of the Year award.

But relations soured this summer. On June 23, USAC served ACE a breach notice, citing missed payments, unfulfilled infrastructure commitments, interference in board affairs, and overreach in international dealings. ACE rejected the claims, accusing the board of misrepresenting the original term sheet.

One of ACE’s flagship projects, Major League Cricket (MLC), has completed three seasons with significant Indian Premier League investment. Four of its six franchises are owned by IPL teams, including MI New York, which won the most recent title.

Published on Aug 26, 2025

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