New York's cricket exposure ushers in new deal for Major League Cricket with Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network

With the USA’s growing interest in cricket, the Yankee Entertainment and Sports Network took a step further to attract regional audiences towards the sport. The New York Yankees broadcasting partner, YES Network, made a deal with Willow, a popular streaming platform by Cricbuzz, to televise Major League Cricket this season.

YES Network will televise seven games of defending MLC champion MI New York during their upcoming season.

It came after Long Island saw a massive surge in viewership of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by the USA and West Indies. The first-timer participant Team USA qualified for the Super 8, along with powerhouse Team India from Group A, after pulling an upset over former World Champions Pakistan in their second game.

The CEO of YES Network, Jon Litner, is optimistic about the success of this collaboration in promoting cricket in the USA.

“As sports fans around the world currently enjoy the ICC T20 World Cup, YES is delighted to partner with Willow by Cricbuzz to capitalize on the growing interest in the sport of cricket in the New York area by showcasing MI New York to sports fans throughout our territory," Litner said (h/t New York Post).

On the other hand, Todd Myers, the chief operating officer of Willow, is excited for their journey ahead after completing the ground-breaking deal with one of the USA’s major broadcasting networks.

“The recent triumph of the US cricket team over Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup has ignited a nationwide cricket frenzy,” Myers said.

They’ll begin broadcasting the second season of MLC with MI New York games, defending its crown against six other challengers. The season will kick off on July 5 against the Seattle Orcas. The contract will conclude after the highly anticipated clash between the Los Angeles Knight Riders and MI New York on July 21.

YES Network's cricket broadcasting deal is eyeing the Yankees' massive fanbase for their success

MLC experienced great success in its first season when MI New York was crowned their first-ever champions. Coming this season, they’re hoping to continue that trend. However, the massive appeal of the fans in the USA during the ICC T20 WC made the tournament appealing for major networking companies.

The Yankees broadcasting host, YES Network, took the initiative to bring the craze of cricket to New York’s fans on the silver screen. Meanwhile, those who’re more willing to experience it live can catch the heat in Grand Prairie, Texas and Morrisville, NC, where the games of MI New York will be played.

The team also has plans to make Marine Park, Brooklyn, their permanent home turf for the coming seasons.

If the Yankees’ Bleacher Creatures find the excitement in MLC, it’ll be a great success for the networking team and could leave a long-term deal possibility for the future. Meanwhile, it would also pique the interest of other broadcasting networks in different cities to come forward, creating room for cricket to be developed in America.