MCC denies selling Lord’s naming rights

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has denied that it is considering selling naming rights to Lord’s, the home of English cricket.

Lords cricket ground
Lords

Reports today (18 November) state the MCC is looking for sponsors to help fund a £400m redevelopment of the 195-year-old ground.

Redevelopment plans, entitled “Vision for Lord’s” include an underground cricket academy and an expanded museum.

The work will be part funded by building flats around the periphery of the ground, but not, according to the MCC, by selling naming rights to the “hallowed turf”.

Keith Bradshaw, MCC chief executive, is reported to have said that there is “no way” Lord’s would be renamed.
He adds: “It is something that we wouldn’t consider, and in fact I even have a real problem even considering renaming the stands within the ground that are now dedicated to famous cricketers.”

Bradshaw says the history and tradition of the ground is more important than commercial gain.

“To play at Lord’s is a very special experience, Lord’s has such a wonderful history and tradition and it’s those traditions that we need to preserve,” he says.