Background
In November 2021, the Bellevue City Council passed a resolution to support further research into the cost and feasibility for a cricket facility in Bellevue or on county-owned land at Marymoor Park.[8] This was followed by a similar resolution that the Redmond City Council adopted in January 2022.[9] A motion of support to develop a cricket facility in Marymoor Park was then passed by King County in February 2022.[2][10] In May 2022, Major League Cricket announced that Somasegar and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella were among some of the lead investors launching Major League Cricket in the U.S.[11]
In March 2023, MLC unveiled the team ownership, name, and logo prior to the inaugural MLC domestic draft.[12] It was also announced that the team would partner with the GMR Group, who co-owns the Delhi Capitals of the Indian Premier League.[13] Co-owner Somasegar stated that the Orcas name and colors "pay tribute to our local community [of Seattle] that has helped build that spirit of support".[14] On May 27, 2023, it was revealed that the Orcas had revamped their logo to emphasize its focus on cricket.[15]
2023 season
Prior to the launch of the official season, it was announced the MLC's inaugural domestic draft would take place on March 19, 2023.[16] The Orcas had the first pick of the draft and selected Thunderbolts captain Harmeet Singh as their first overall draft pick, before adding the likes of Shehan Jayasuriya, Angelo Perera, and Shubham Ranjane in later draft selections.[17] In addition, Mitchell Marsh and Quinton de Kock were announced as some of the team's overseas signings during the draft.[18] Over the following months, several more overseas signings occurred, including the signings of Wayne Parnell, Dasun Shanaka, and Heinrich Klaasen—amongst others.[19][20][21]
2024 season
In December 2023, it was announced that the second season of the tournament would begin on July 4, 2024, four days after the conclusion of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.[31] This was later pushed back a day to July 5.
Ahead of the start of the season, on February 15, 2024, the team released a list of retained overseas players which included the likes of Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, and captain Wayne Parnell. On March 1, 2024, the team released a list of retained domestic players which included the likes of Harmeet Singh, Shehan Jayasuriya, and Cameron Gannon.[32] During the season's domestic players' draft on March 21, 2024, a total of 3 players were picked by the team over 10 rounds.[33][34] Following the draft, the team announced a slew of overseas signings from New Zealander Michael Bracewell to Vincentian cricketer Obed McCoy.[35]
2025 season
Amidst the team's last-place finish in 2024, the Orcas underwent a massive squad shift as they retained just 6 players ahead of the season's draft.[45] At the draft, the team signed domestic bulwarks Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, and Shayan Jahangir. In April, the team signed former Australian cricketer David Warner.[46]
