The USA’s premier franchise men’s T20 competition, Major League Cricket (MLC), has appointed Johnny Grave as its new chief executive officer.

In the role, Grave will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of MLC's operations, including league expansion, team development, and strategic partnerships for the league that launched in 2023.

Grave has almost 25 years of leadership experience in international cricket, most recently serving as CEO of Cricket West Indies (CWI) for seven years until stepping down last October.

During his tenure with CWI, he oversaw three World Cups hosted in the West Indies and was the CEO for the 2024 men's T20 World Cup co-hosted with the US last June.

Before joining CWI, Grave served as commercial director at the Professional Cricketers' Association in England for 10 years.

“I am honored to lead the league at this transformative time. Cricket is beloved globally and I am thrilled to see its fan base growing rapidly in the US. I look forward to working with the MLC team to help elevate the league, engage with fans, and build a thriving, sustainable future for cricket in America," Grave told Sportcal.

His appointment comes ahead of MLC’s third campaign and as the league prepares for expansion in the US market with plans to expand to more cities in the coming years.

MLC's 2025 season opens in June.