TORONTO — The city of Vancouver has chosen a prospective owner to pursue an MLB expansion franchise, industry sources told Sportsnet.
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 Zack Ross, the president of the Vancouver-based real estate company Cape Group, and is said to have delivered a compelling pitch backed by designers, architects and sports industry experts.
An official announcement is expected as soon as Wednesday afternoon.
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 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. Still, co-operation from the city would still 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.