In a surprising development, the 2028 Olympics may see cricket matches being moved out of Los Angeles to the East Coast, specifically New York. This decision is driven by the desire to maximize viewership in India, which is a significant market for cricket.
Cricket is set to make a historic return to the Olympic Games after a 128-year hiatus. The matches were initially planned to be held in Los Angeles, but the time difference posed a challenge for Indian viewers. Los Angeles is 12.5 hours behind India, making it difficult for fans to watch the matches live. On the other hand, New York is only 9.5 hours behind India, making it a more favorable option.
Organizing Committee’s Decision
Casey Wasserman, the head of the LA28 organizing committee, announced the potential move during a Business of Sports Summit in Austin, Texas. He emphasized the importance of catering to the Indian audience and leveraging the massive domestic market for cricket in the United States. The decision is also expected to help achieve cost savings and generate new revenue for the Olympics.
Potential Cricket Venues for 2028 Olympics
New York has already hosted several preliminary-round matches of the T20 World Cup earlier this year, which it co-hosted with the West Indies. The matches were held at venues like Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, and a temporary stadium on Long Island. The Marine Park in Brooklyn, home of MI New York from Major League Cricket, is also being considered as a potential venue.
🏏 Cricket at the 2028 Olympics will likely be held on the East Coast instead of Los Angeles to cater to time zones that suit the Indian audience boosting viewership.#Cricket pic.twitter.com/TtQHqDDUhP
— CricMarvels (@CricMarvels) October 29, 2024
Impact on Viewership
The move to the East Coast is expected to significantly boost viewership in India, as fans will be able to watch the matches live without having to stay up late. This strategic decision aligns with the goal of reaching a global audience and optimizing the broadcast timing for cricket matches.
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