It’s been two and a half months since Mayor Ken Sim revealed that there is “credible” interest in bringing a Major League Baseball team to Vancouver.
It’s been mostly quiet on that front since, at least publicly.
Local businessman Zack Ross is reportedly involved. He’s the president of The Cape Group, a residential and commercial real estate firm. Other investors have not yet been revealed.
But work is being done behind the scenes.
“The Show Vancouver Bid Corporation” is the name of the group leading the charge to bring an MLB expansion team to Vancouver.
On Tuesday, an open letter titled “Let’s bring Major League Baseball to Vancouver” was released by the group. The letter was signed by a diverse list of 147 people, comprised of prominent business leaders like Chip Wilson, former BC Premiers Gordon Campbell, Christy Clark, and Mike Harcourt, and even former MLB players like Justin Morneau and Jeff Francis, among others.
Wilson’s name is of particular interest. The lululemon founder has a net worth of US$5.4 billion, according to Forbes.
But this isn’t a list of owners or investors; rather, it’s a list of people who have lent their voice to the cause.
Here’s the full list:
“Vancouver has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring Major League Baseball to our city and we should seize it. This is a city with the passion, diversity, and global profile to support a team for generations to come,” the letter reads.
“An MLB team would be a long-term investment in Metro Vancouver’s future, creating jobs and driving tourism and economic activity.
“Together, we support The Show Vancouver Bid Corporation’s efforts to bring MLB to Vancouver and British Columbia. This is a rare opportunity to build something lasting for the city and future generations, with a group that is passionate about baseball and ready to step up and lead.
“Vancouver, let’s play ball!”
Talk is cheap, but buying an MLB franchise isn’t. Neither is building a new MLB-calibre ballpark. Doesn’t mean it can’t be done, but it’ll cost billions.
And apparently, there’s a group out there that is ready to foot the bill.