City partners with local group for MLB bid
The City of Vancouver has chosen a group led by local real estate developer Zack Ross as its preferred partner in the pursuit of a Major League Baseball expansion franchise. Ross, who serves as president of Cape Group, heads The Show Vancouver, an organization established with the goal of bringing an MLB team to the city.
The proposal from The Show Vancouver centres on the development of a new ballpark alongside a mixed-use development. While the group has not yet announced a specific site for this project, it has also not disclosed the estimated cost or provided figures regarding its projected economic impact. Furthermore, details on how the project would be financed have not been outlined.
Mayor Ken Sim initiated an expression-of-interest process earlier this spring. This process aimed to identify a qualified ownership group possessing the necessary financial capacity and experience to advance an MLB bid for Vancouver.
MLB expansion considerations
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred indicated in October that another Canadian city could potentially support a team within the league, when questioned about the prospect of adding a team in Vancouver. The league has not formally announced any expansion plans. However, Manfred has previously expressed his hope for MLB to expand from 30 to 32 teams before his scheduled retirement in 2029.
The city council has directed staff to enter into a memorandum of understanding with The Show Vancouver. This agreement aims to establish a framework for collaboration, which includes conducting due diligence for potential ballpark sites. The city has stated that The Show Vancouver will be responsible for all costs and financial risks associated with preparing and advancing its MLB bid.
Ross emphasized in a news release that the proposal is focused on the new ballpark development. He also stated that Vancouver is a significant global city and deserves a Major League Baseball team, adding that the project would be a community asset.
Project team and stadium history
The Show Vancouver has established partnerships with several entities to support its bid. These include BRS Sports, a sports marketing and analytics company whose principals feature former NHL executive Jac Sperling, sports venue consultant Tim Romani, and Denver real estate executive Ray Baker.
Additionally, the group has retained specialized firms to help develop its proposal. These firms include ballpark architecture firm Populous, project management firm CAA Icon, and architecture and design firm Gensler. The announcement of The Show Vancouver’s initiative has received endorsements from Bridgitte Anderson, president of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt.
Historically, BC Place Stadium hosted several Major League Baseball exhibition series between 1984 and 1994. These events featured teams such as the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Montreal Expos. However, a $500-million renovation completed in 2011, which included a centre-hung scoreboard and a cable-supported retractable roof, rendered the stadium unable to host baseball games.
Currently, Vancouver is home to the Vancouver Canadians, which is the Blue Jays’ single-A affiliate. This team plays its games at the 6,500-seat Nat Bailey Stadium. The city will collaborate with The Show Vancouver as the group explores a potential expansion bid, with any future project agreements, including site selection and land-use decisions, requiring council approval.
Source: tsn.ca
