TORONTO — The city of Vancouver has chosen a prospective owner to pursue an MLB expansion franchise.
The Show Vancouver Bid Corporation was selected over other potential bidders and will now work in conjunction with city staff to engage MLB and make a push for an expansion team.
The group is led by CEO Zack Ross, the president of the Vancouver-based real estate company Cape Group, and has the backing of some experienced sports executives plus Populous, the architecture firm that designed Camden Yards, PNC Park and Oracle Park among many others.
An official announcement came from the city Wednesday afternoon, confirming Sportsnet’s report.
“Vancouver is my home and it is one of the great cities in the world, and we deserve a Major League Baseball team,” Ross said via press release. “Our vision is a world-class MLB franchise anchored by a landmark ballpark and mixed-use real estate development at an iconic site, creating a destination that generates economic activity, civic pride, and community benefit for generations. This is a significant moment in the process to successfully bring an MLB team to Vancouver and we thank the city for the effort they put into this selection process.”
As of now, MLB has no official plans to expand, nor is expansion likely to be finalized in the upcoming negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
However, commissioner Rob Manfred has spoken about the possibility of awarding two expansion teams before his retirement in January of 2029, which is why cities like Vancouver, Charlotte, Nashville and Salt Lake City have been linked to potential expansion bids.
Back in April, Vancouver city council approved a plan to “identify and evaluate" potential owners with the support of mayor Ken Sim.
While Sim is supportive of the MLB expansion possibility, he has said no public funds or land will be given away. According to a city press release, TSV “will be responsible for all costs and financial risks associated with preparing and advancing its MLB bid.”
Still, co-operation from the city would be essential when it comes to transit, parking and other infrastructure. The selection of The Show Vancouver Bid Corporation allows the city to start coming up with answers.
In Vancouver, a new ballpark would be needed as Nat Bailey Stadium, home of the Blue Jays’ high-A team, holds just 6,500. BC Place, home of Major League Soccer’s Whitecaps and the CFL’s Lions, brings significant logistical questions — some of which are contributing to an uncertain future for the Whitecaps.
But now that a prospective ownership group has been selected, answering those questions becomes more feasible and the pitch to MLB can begin.
1:57