The Staples Centre in Los Angeles is set to be renamed Crypto.com arena from December 25th in a $700 million USD naming rights deal.
The historic 20-year agreement will reshape the venue that currently hosts the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers as well as the NHL’s LA Kings.
But would the Melbourne Cricket Ground ever consider taking on a naming rights partner?
The MCG is Australia’s most historic venue, but unlike the likes of Marvel Stadium across the precinct and GMHBA Stadium down the highway, it has forever remained sponsorship free.
Despite the huge money seemingly available, MCC CEO Stuart Fox can’t see it ever happening.
“I’d hate to think what sort of a number you would get,” Fox told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“It has been discussed, but I don’t think we’d ever want to rename the MCG with a commercial partner.
“I think it’s pretty special and we want to keep it that way.
“It’s always been the people’s ground and I don’t think the government would want a commercial partner on the MCG and nor would the MCC.
“I don’t think there will (ever been an amount of money that makes it happen). It’s obviously a government asset and they may look at it one day, but it has been discussed in the past and there’s been no appetite to commercialise the MCG.
“You see many stadiums around the world that do have commercial naming rights, I think one of the beauties of the MCG is it’s Melbourne’s cricket ground. It doesn’t have a commercial name connected to it.”
The MCG will be back to full capacity over summer and beyond as Victoria hits a 90 per cent double vaccination rate.