Jul 16th, 2018

Jul 16th, 2018

Brisbane's cricket ground will remain known as The Gabba even if naming rights are sold to help pay for a much needed face lift, the Queensland government says.

Selling rights to the iconic but outdated stadium for $2 million a year is being proposed as one of the ways the state government can boost its performance, The Sunday-Mail reports.

Labor says the stadium's nickname would be rolled into any naming rights or sponsorship deal, which would be the first of its kind.

"The venue will always be known as the Gabba," a government spokesman said.

"Of course, we will look at any recommendations in the Lee Report into Stadiums Queensland."

(AAP) Photo: AAP

Sports and tourism executive John Lee has been reviewing the state's nine government-owned venues since April and will make recommendations to boost their financial performance.

The Gabba has slipped in the ranks of Australian cricket venues and been overlooked to host world No.1 Test side India this summer, a tradition it had held since 1988.

The Stadiums Queensland board, which runs The Gabba and Suncorp Stadium on behalf of the government, was sacked in recent weeks in the wake of criticism over its management.

The Liberal National Party opposition would support a sponsorship deal if it benefited the grounds, so long as it wasn't named after a politician.