The Seven Network has bolstered its live sport catalogue with the acquisition of exclusive Australian broadcast rights to Major League Cricket (MLC), the United States’ flagship T20 competition.
All 34 matches will stream live and free on 7plus Sport starting Friday 13 June, with the Final also simulcast on 7mate.
Now entering its third season, MLC is the first professional T20 league based in the US, and while it’s still building its domestic fan base stateside, it’s drawing significant international interest, especially from Australia.
This year’s player roster includes a who’s-who of homegrown talent, such as Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Marsh, and David Warner.
Former national captain and 7Cricket regular Ricky Ponting is also deeply involved, serving as head coach of Washington Freedom.
Strengthening a year-round cricket proposition
For Seven, the MLC agreement is part of a broader push to expand its year-round sports footprint and consolidate 7plus as a premier destination for live, free cricket coverage.
The network delivered strong audience figures during the summer cricket season and is now leveraging the MLC content window to maintain viewer engagement, and advertiser momentum, during the traditionally quieter winter months.
“This is a natural extension of our cricket story,” said Renée Quirk, Commercial Director – Sport at Seven.
“It bridges our programming between the Indian summer and what’s shaping up to be a massive Ashes season ahead. And crucially, it gives brands an opportunity to remain part of the cricket conversation year-round.”
Quirk noted the cross-platform nature of the deal, with every match available on 7plus and the final receiving the linear spotlight on 7mate.
“We’re proud to help build visibility around a fast-growing global league and connect Aussie fans with a fresh wave of cricket talent,” she added.
A window into American cricket
Although MLC is still in its infancy, the league is backed by substantial investment and a growing global viewership, with matches hosted across major American cities including New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
This year’s competition has attracted not only high-profile Australians but international heavyweights like Rashid Khan and Quinton de Kock.
Seven’s Head of Cricket, Joel Starcevic, said the network is betting on the MLC’s rising international relevance.
“Like any American sporting product, MLC is designed to scale fast, and the talent pool speaks for itself,” he said.
“We’re bringing world-class players into Aussie homes at a time when fans usually go without live cricket. This is a chance to turn that seasonal gap into a strategic advantage.”
The early morning match times also open up fresh inventory in a less crowded window, creating second-screen opportunities for those watching at work or over breakfast.
The strategic alignment with 7Cricket talent, especially Ricky Ponting’s dual role, further enables cross-promotional storytelling.
A new frontier for global cricket coverage
MLC Chief Executive Officer Johnny Grave called the partnership a strong validation of the league’s international ambitions.
“To team up with a leading broadcaster like Seven in a major cricket market is a significant step for us,” he said. “It reflects the league’s growing credibility and the calibre of players taking the field this season.”
The tournament launches with the San Francisco Unicorns facing off against Washington Freedom on 13 June at 9.00am AEST. From then on, every match will be available live on 7plus Sport.