Major League Cricket and Washington, DC -based investor Sanjay Govil have announced plans along with George Mason University to conduct a feasibility study for a new multi-purpose cricket and baseball facility. If approved, the venue would be located on the Fairfax, Virginia campus.
Govil, a founding investor in Major League Cricket and founder and chairman of Bethesda -based Infinite Computer Solutions and CEO of Zyter, will support funding for the study and plan. If all goes well, the current plan is to have the venue completed by summer of 2025.
“This study with Mason is an important milestone in a new era for Major League Cricket and international matches in the United States and brings new athletic resources to George Mason University and the region,” said Govil in the official announcement. “We look forward to taking the next steps to fully realize a vision for the first international cricket venue in the northeastern United States.”
“Mason is the educational, economic and cultural hub of one of the most dynamic regions in the country and is the most diverse public university in Virginia,” Mason President Gregory Washington said. “This opportunity would bring the second-most popular global media sport to the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and base it at a location known for attracting international students and audiences. At the same time, this proposed facility would enhance the Mason athletic experience for our student-athletes, alumni network, and fan base.”
In addition to being the home venue for the DC -based MLC franchise in one of the most popular hubs for cricket in the USA, the venue would also host the George Mason University Patriots baseball team, and other entertainment events.
The 30,000 student George Mason campus, located in the most populated county (Fairfax) in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, is home to Eaglebank Arena. The 10,000 seat indoor sports and entertainment venue regularly ranks among the top 100 arenas in the world in annual ticket sales.
Considering GMU’s student body size, proximity to DC Metro transit, and the popularity and frequent use of Eaglebank Arena, a new multi-purpose cricket facility would be able to take advantage of existing road, parking and public transit infrastructure.
The design of the venue will continue MLC’s relationship with internationally renowned architects HKS, designers of the Dallas stadium currently under construction. When complete, the Dallas venue will host the very first Major League Cricket games in July of 2023.
“Major League Cricket is grateful to George Mason University for working with us to plan an innovative facility that can maximize use for the venue during the college season for Mason baseball and then host world class cricket in the summer months,” said Sameer Mehta, co-founder, Major League Cricket.
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