Cricket clubs to Mayor Adams: No cricket stadium at Van Cortlandt Park for 2024 T20 World Cup

Several local cricket leagues and clubs have sent out a letter to Mayor Eric Adams and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson regarding the proposal of a 34,000-seat cricket stadium in Van Cortlandt Park as part of a plan for hosting the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup.

The letter was sent by Godfrey Mitchell, president of New York Cricket League; Curtis Clarke, president of New York Masters Cricket Association; Milford Lewis, coordinator of New York Cricket League Umpires Association, and eight others. The letter was unsurprisingly opposed to the proposal.

If the proposal is accepted, New York City would  host the International Cricket Council’s T20 World Cup. However, the construction of the stadium would close out parts of the cricket for up to six months, cutting into the season of the many cricket leagues that have their games at the park.

“Our recreational leagues would lose access to the Van Cortlandt Park facilities for much of the 2024 cricket season,” the statement read. “As there are no realistic alternative venues, the outcome would be that hundreds of local players would be deprived of the opportunity to play their sport for many months.”

They also wrote there would be a negative impact for the schools that use cricket pitches and other park facilities.

They do not see any benefits for the cricket community that would be worth losing their season.

In addition, the leagues’ and club’s relationship with the Bronx community “that hosts our games” also played into the disapproval of the proposal.

“We have learned of the many and varied objections local residents have voiced to the temporary stadium proposal; it would have clear and significant adverse impacts on multiple recreational and associated activities, and on the local environment in general,” the statement read.

The clubs and leagues are not against the idea of hosting the World Cup in the city, but say they would need a plan that supports both recreational cricketers and local residents. They even said they would be happy to provide input on a revised proposal.

The letter was also copied to Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Eric Dinowitz, Van Cortlandt park administrator Stephanie Ehrlich, and the majority membership of Community Board 8.

Mayor Eric Adams’ office did not respond for a comment regarding both the letter and also the construction of the stadium.

Adams has yet to make a statement regarding his proposal.

During the Community Board 8’s emergency July meeting where they discussed the matter a representative of Adams’ office attended.

Nonetheless the silence from Adams has made some question whether the stadium even has a chance of being brought to Van Cortlandt Park, the city, or even the United States.

The ABP News Bureau reported in early June that the event could possibly be shifted to England.

Apparently a report from News18 Cricketnext said the United States does not have infrastructure ready to host the tournament.

The proposed event would occur June 2024, with construction starting in January. However, with all of the criticisms of local legislators and community members, the United States has a lot of hurdles to get over.

According to Axios, the latest push of cricket in the U.S. is partially due to investors like Microsoft chief executive Satyaa Nadella and Webex co-founder Subrah Iyar.