Lord's could be turned into a super-stadium and the naming rights of the sport's most famous ground sold to a sponsor, a move that risks sparking scorn from cricket enthusiasts, The Times said.

Marylebone Cricket Club, which owns Lord's in north-west London, is considering the revamp which is designed to increase seating by about 7500 and create an underground cricket academy, a brasserie and a bigger museum.

The redevelopment, the biggest in the 195-year history of the ground, would be funded partly by selling luxury flats around the famous arena's periphery.

Although sponsoring sporting grounds is not new, the idea of renaming historic Lord's is almost certain to upset some fans.

Club chief executive Keith Bradshaw said, ''That [naming rights] is obviously an option, but you reach a point at which you do not want to sell your soul.''

The revamp could also offer naming rights for the ground's seven stands, which are currently named after famous cricketers.

''They have to be very careful about the brand they choose. Even then, I think there would be a negative reaction. The disadvantages outweigh the gains,'' Tim Crow, of Synergy Sponsorship, said. The plans must be submitted to the local council after approval by MCC members. AFP