ROCKVILLE, Md.: Major League Cricket’s Washington Freedom and Verizon Monday announced a partnership that will see the leading US telco become a team sponsor for the upcoming 2024 MLC season beginning in early July.
Cricket is the second most watched sport in the world with an estimated 2.5 billion global fans and is rapidly expanding in the United States. The US hosted the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup in partnership with the West Indies in June, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will feature cricket for the first time since the 1900 Olympics.
MLC began play in July 2023, with six teams representing major US cities. The inaugural season saw more than 70,000 fans in attendance throughout an 18-day tournament that was broadcast to 87 countries worldwide. The 2024 season kicked off on July 5th, just a few days after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup.
“Verizon is a long-time leader in innovation and is one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world. We are thrilled to have Verizon as a sponsor for the Washington Freedom in the second season of Major League Cricket,” said Sanjay Govil, owner of the Washington Freedom. “We look forward to another successful campaign in the upcoming season, and we are excited to have Verizon as part of the team.”
“We’re excited to be on the ground floor of the growing cricket movement in the United States, and specifically in Washington, D.C., through our partnership with the Washington Freedom,” said Chris Flood, Atlantic North market president at Verizon. “We look forward to connecting with their dynamic and growing fan base, both on and off the cricket field, and we are incredibly proud to work with an organization that values innovation, teamwork and community engagement as much as we do.”
Partnership highlights
Branding Integration: Verizon’s logo will be featured on team helmets and caps, bringing visibility to a worldwide audience during games and events.
Year-Round Community Initiatives: The collaboration will extend beyond the field and cricket season, with joint participation in Washington, D.C.-based community events, cultural festivities, concerts, and programs.
