U.S. Cricket League to Air on Dish

The first professional cricket league in the United States has found a television home.

American Pro Cricket L.L.C. and EchoStar Communications Corp. said Tuesday that ProCricket's regular season, All-Star match, playoff and championship games will be presented on Dish Network’s Dish On Demand pay-per-view service.

Dish’s cricket schedule begins Friday, July 23, with a match between the New Jersey Fire and the Florida Thunder. Eight additional regular-season matches will be broadcast live on Fridays and Saturdays, with replays of each match also available.

ProCricket's All-Star game will be broadcast Thursday, Aug. 19. The league’s 2004 Championship Round Playoffs will be available Friday, Aug. 27, and Sunday, Aug. 29. The Final Premier Championship Match will be broadcast Sunday, Sept. 5.

Dish residential customers can purchase single 2004 ProCricket regular-season and playoff games for $9.95 apiece, and the Final Premier Championship Match will be available for $19.95. A “ProCricket Season Package” will also be offered for $99.95, featuring all 13 games.

ProCricket eight inaugural 2004 are the Chicago Tornadoes, Florida Thunder, Los Angeles Unity, New Jersey Fire, New York Storm, San Francisco Freedom, Texas Arrowheads and Washington (D.C.) Forward.