Melbourne Stars shares set to be sold off to MCC

Cricket Victoria is exploring the possibility of selling a minority share of the Melbourne Stars to the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC).

While neither the state or the MCC offered public comment on Wednesday, three sources with knowledge of discussions confirmed Victoria's bold idea to further strengthen its ties to the MCG.

As reported on The New Ball this week, Cricket Victoria's utopia is to sell the Melbourne Renegades entirely, and a 49 per cent share of the Stars. Given Cricket Australia's willingness to present a two-phase sale process in the coming weeks, there's a chance the Renegades get sold in the first iteration, and the Stars semi-purchase is explored down the track.

A sale of one franchise and a partial sale of another would give the state a significant financial boost and help fund grassroots cricket for generations to come.

The MCC plan, which is one of many ideas being canvassed, has been discussed at the highest levels of Cricket Victoria and the MCC.

It's unclear whether the MCC is open to the idea of purchasing some of the Stars, which have played at the venue since the beginning of the club-based Big Bash League.

If the MCC buys 49 per cent of the Stars, Cricket Victoria could link a franchise membership with an MCC membership in the same way Melbourne Football Club members can have a joint arrangement with both clubs.

It's also believed the Melbourne Renegades will reduce their GMHBA-based games next summer from two down to one.

The club was out of contract with the venue but was also committed to keeping its connection to the region having grown a significant fan base in Geelong.

The Renegades are hoping to play a home game in Chennai in December, another one under the new floodlights at the Junction Oval, and the remaining two at the MCG and/or Marvel Stadium.