Vancouver City Council could decide on MLB expansion team proponent this July | Daily Hive

Vancouver City Council could decide on Major League Baseball expansion team proponent this July

Nat Bailey Stadium. (Vancouver Canadians)

In just over two months from now, shortly after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup, Vancouver City Council could decide on the selected private sector proponent to spearhead and finance the bid to land a Major League Baseball (MLB) expansion franchise for the city.

At that juncture this summer, more information will likely come to public light regarding the identity of the proponents, their approach and deep pockets to attract and sustain an MLB team, and their potential new baseball stadium concept and location. The range of information the City has requested from prospective bidders is highly extensive and complex for the purposes of due diligence.

On April 22, City Council approved Mayor Ken Sim’s member motion directing City of Vancouver staff to initiate the procurement process and return to City Council with recommendations, including a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU), within 60 days of initiating the process.

Then, the day after, on April 23, City staff launched the procurement process by issuing the Request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) seeking potential MLB franchise ownership groups, with this bid process closing on June 19.

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According to the City’s procurement materials for prospective bidders, the municipal government will assemble an evaluation panel to assess the bids received, determining which bids have the financial capacity, expertise, experience, ownership and governance structure, and clear plan required to be awarded the opportunity to successfully establish and operate an MLB team in Vancouver.

After the panel finishes its work in July, the municipal government will negotiate an MOU with the selected group. City Council would then consider the panel’s recommendation by late July — which is just before the start of the municipal government’s summer break throughout August and early September, and before the start of the campaign period for the October 2026 civic election.

“The City intends to close the EOI in late June, evaluate all submissions and make a recommendation for City Council consideration before the end of July. The City expects to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the successful proponent, which would include, among other things, the terms upon which the parties would cooperate to bring Major League Baseball to Vancouver,” states City staff.

This procurement process requests that interested parties provide market analysis and due diligence demonstrating the viability of an MLB team in Vancouver, plans for the development and submission of an MLB bid package, plans for relations with all three levels of government, and plans to work and negotiate with MLB officials to secure a franchise bid.

As well, the proponents will also define the baseball stadium requirements and potential site locations, the conceptual plan for the stadium design, and the conceptual business plan demonstrating the financial feasibility of franchise and stadium economics, including diversified revenue streams.

“The City’s role is to select a proponent and potential ownership group to work with the City. Once the proponent has completed its due diligence of the viability of an MLB team in Vancouver, City Council would need to approve the overall terms and conditions for the City. In addition, any site or land development would go through the full regulatory process, including rezoning, development approvals, public consultation, and Council approval,” continues City staff.

“Proponents would be expected to finance the development, including design, construction, and operations, of any such stadium. The proponent would need to include in their proposed business model all assumptions regarding and expectations of the City. In addition, the City may have a role in ensuring the site is fit for purpose and complies with all existing use planning, zoning, and permitting requirements. The due diligence to confirm viability of the stadium design, construction, operation, and business model is needed prior to any bid.”

Additionally, the City’s review will also thoroughly consider other aspects about the proponent, such as their history and any litigation or claims made against them in the past three years.

The associated MLB expansion fee, the cost of building the new ballpark and supporting mixed-use developments such as an entertainment district, and other startup costs will make this a multibillion dollar effort — potentially one of the largest private sector investments ever made in Vancouver.

During last month’s City Council public meeting that triggered this formal procurement process, Mayor Sim emphasized that his seemingly sudden push for MLB was not coming out of nowhere, as the municipal government had been approached with an unsolicited proposal by “serious proponents.” Sim further described these parties as “incredibly credible.”

At the time of City Council’s decision on the motion, Sim’s proposal came against the backdrop of some criticism from Vancouver Whitecaps FC fans who lamented that the municipal government should be focusing its efforts on preventing the storied Major League Soccer (MLS) team from leaving the city. There were even accusations on social media that Sim and his ABC Vancouver party were using the prospect of landing an MLB expansion franchise as a distraction from the seemingly imminent relocation of the Whitecaps ahead of the fall civic election. Others deemed it to be fanciful and unrealistic, with a low probability of success.

However, during deliberations at last month’s City Council meeting, the suggested high degree of credibility of the entity that triggered the City’s interest and formal process was also confirmed by the City Manager and a non-ABC city councillor.

As well, Vancouver-born actor Ryan Reynolds, who is a co-owner of Wrexham FC, is reportedly interested in being a part of the ownership group led by the proponent referenced by the mayor. Other wealthy investors said to be involved with this proponent include 49ers Enterprises, which owns the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers, along with other professional sports clubs, like Leeds United in the English Premier League. This proponent has also recruited a highly reputable investment firm specializing in the acquisition and development of sports franchises, including its relatively recent success in helping bring a National Hockey League franchise to Seattle.

Sim says the outcome of this procurement process will help Vancouver put its best foot forward in its effort to land an MLB expansion franchise, with the MLB commissioner repeatedly suggesting the positive feasibility of Vancouver in comments he has made over the years and indicating a potential timeline for league expansion before 2029. Furthermore, the commissioner has indicated that any MLB expansion efforts would not occur until after the league’s next collective bargaining agreement, with the current agreement set to expire in December 2026.

The last time the league expanded was in 1993, making the current attempt a rare window of opportunity.

All the while, officials from the municipal, provincial, and federal government are working to save the Whitecaps. A secret meeting last week involving representatives from all three levels of government, the three local First Nations, and FIFA and MLS executives was reportedly highly productive, with the aim of signing an MOU for the Whitecaps to continue their tenancy at BC Place Stadium for the next four or five years under greatly improved financial and economic terms — potentially buying some time until the club’s new soccer-specific stadium, under its ownership and control, is built. It remains to be seen whether this could ultimately lead to the Whitecaps operating the provincially-owned BC Place Stadium over the interim.

The local business community is also making a major effort in rallying behind the Whitecaps.

Early this summer, possibly also in July, Surrey City Council could also make a decision on the successful proponent to develop, partially finance, and operate a new 10,000-seat indoor arena in Surrey City Centre. It would also have a hotel, conference space, retail/restaurant space, and possibly some residential uses. Earlier this month, Surrey mayor Brenda Locke shared that there was a “strong” market response to the municipal-led bid process. The City of Surrey is aiming to begin construction in 2027.

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