MLS commissioner Don Garber is in town, meeting with politicians and business leaders to discuss the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Garber has a busy itinerary, meeting with BC premier David Eby, Vancouver mayor Ken Sim, FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani, Whitecaps co-owner Jeff Mallett, and BC Place general manager Chris May.
“I’m here on a mission to try and figure out ways we can capitalize on all the success of this club,” Garber said. “Take that opportunity and turn it into something that’ll work in a more economically rational way.”
While the Whitecaps have had a dream season on the pitch and are likely going to sell out their next playoff match at BC Place, there remains a cloud over the business of the franchise. The club is still looking for a new owner and a new lease at BC Place.
There was a tone of urgency from Garber when he met with the local media Friday in Downtown Vancouver. His message was clear: the Whitecaps don’t have a sustainable business model unless they get a better lease at BC Place.
“We have a suboptimal stadium situation,” Garber told reporters. “We’re trying to fix that. There’s a short term fix that’s very specific. We want a better lease at BC Place and the club has made a very specific request about that.
“Those restrictions and those challenges make it untenable for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Economically they don’t participate in any revenue.”
Sources tell Daily Hive that the Whitecaps take home less than 20 per cent of all net food and beverage revenue on a match day at BC Place.
That’s less than any other team in Major League Soccer.
Garber noted that the Whitecaps are at the bottom of the league in terms of revenue, despite being in the top half in attendance.
The number of available dates provided throughout the year for Whitecaps matches at BC Place is another point of contention. The commissioner was certainly not pleased about the Whitecaps having to play a home playoff match in Portland last year.
“When we make our schedule we have to make our schedule around dates that are given by BC Place,” Garber said. “That’s untenable when you have 29 other teams. It is unconscionable that we have to move a playoff game because we can’t get a date.”
PavCo’s response
A PavCo spokesperson tells Daily Hive that BC Place and the Whitecaps are “currently engaged in productive discussions” regarding a lease renewal.
“Any agreement has to be looked at in totality, factoring in not just revenue but also operational costs and capital investments,” the PavCo statement reads.
“For example, with renovations currently underway for new premium hospitality areas, additional revenue generation opportunities will be available to our tenant teams and event partners by next season.
“Ultimately, it’s our goal to balance the right deal for both parties while ensuring fairness for British Columbians… The stadium remains committed to supporting the club’s growth and success now and into the future.”
PavCo says that BC Place makes 40 dates available per year to the Whitecaps to host matches and that it works closely with the team to establish a calendar that accommodates all their home matches.
Could the Whitecaps leave Vancouver permanently?
Garber admitted there is a possibility that the Whitecaps could leave town, though that’s clearly not the league’s preference.
“There is a possibility,” Garber said when asked about the possibility of relocation. “That’s not the path we want to be on. It’s part of what I’m here for.”
“This just requires a different vision and a different way to go about thinking about what a path forward can be.”
Among the suggested ways to improve revenue at BC Place, Garber suggested helping to sell the naming rights for the stadium.
“The building has never sold a title sponsor,” Garber said. “We’ll take that over in a heartbeat. We’re good at that, we have to be. We’ll take over the commercial operations and sell sponsorships if we’re given the opportunity. I think the club would be great at that.”
Garber was clear that BC Place remains a short-term solution for the Whitecaps, to improve the business of the club while they search for a new owner, and eventually build a soccer-specific stadium.
“The challenge we have is that we don’t have an economically sustainable business that we can get somebody to invest in. That’s the reality of where we are,” he said.
“The dream scenario is a great lease with a great partnership with BC Place and a parallel path with some North Star [to build a soccer-specific stadium].”