Vancouver eyes Major League Baseball team and new ballpark

Image: Skyline of Vancouver, Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

The Show Vancouver Bid Corporation (TSV) has been chosen as the preferred partner to pursue a Major League Baseball team and ballpark for the Canadian city of Vancouver.

Business in Vancouver said real estate developer Zack Ross of the Cape Group is leading the bid that includes Jac Sperling, Ray Baker and Tim Romani, who have all been involved in either launching professional sports teams or building stadiums in the United States.

Ross said, “Vancouver is my home and it is one of the great cities in the world, and we deserve a Major League Baseball team.

“Our vision is a world-class MLB franchise anchored by a landmark ballpark and mixed-use real estate development at an iconic site, creating a destination that generates economic activity, civic pride and community benefit for generations.

“This is a significant moment in the process to successfully bring an MLB team to Vancouver and we thank the city for the effort they put into this selection process.”

TSV has been assembled with one objective: to successfully bring a Major League Baseball expansion franchise to Vancouver and British Columbia.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has publicly communicated a desire to expand from 30 teams to 32 prior to his scheduled retirement in 2029.

He has said that Vancouver is a great city and that another Canadian city could clearly work as well as the Toronto Blue Jays. TSV intends to make that city Vancouver.

TSV has brought together a leadership team whose collective experience is without parallel in the context of a North American professional sports franchise bid.

Cape is joined by BRS Sports, LLC, a team of three of North America’s most accomplished sports franchise and sports facility development professionals.

The team spans franchise operations, expansion bid execution, stadium development, real estate development, government relations, and financial structuring, each at the highest level of professional sport.
 

Broad local support

Research has revealed that more than seven-in-ten British Columbians would welcome a Major League Baseball team in Vancouver.

And fewer than one-in-ten think having an MLB team is a bad idea. Support for a Major League Baseball team in Vancouver is high across all groups and regions.

This support is evidenced by the recently published letter signed by more than 150 leaders in British Columbia.

Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade said, “The selection of a preferred bid team marks an important step in exploring the potential for Major League Baseball in Vancouver.

“Major sports franchises can serve as significant economic drivers, generating investment, attracting visitors, supporting local businesses, and creating opportunities across a wide range of sectors. They also contribute to the overall vitality and competitiveness of a region by enhancing its profile as a destination to live, work, visit, and invest.

“We look forward to seeing this work continue and to learning more about the opportunities a potential MLB franchise could create for Vancouver and the broader regional economy,”
 

World class operators

 
In addition to the BRS Sports principals, TSV is partnering with the world’s leading firms in every discipline required to design, build, and operate the ballpark and adjacent development:

CAA Icon — Owner’s Representative. The firm founded by Tim Romani and the global leader in sports facility owner’s representation, having overseen more than $20 billion in venue development across all major professional leagues.

Populous — Ballpark Architects. The world’s pre-eminent sports venue design firm, responsible for some of the most celebrated ballparks and arenas in North America and globally.

Gensler — Real Estate Development Architects and Planners. A global architecture and design leader, engaged in planning and designing the mixed-use real estate development adjacent to the ballpark.
 
Jac Sperling, Partner, BRS Sports, said, “TSV’s approach is built on a simple principle: do things right and in the right order. This is how Ray, Tim and I have always operated. And we have brought onto the team key best-in-class partners: the world’s leading ballpark architects (Populous), owner’s representative (CAA Icon), and real estate development architects (Gensler).

“Because of his understanding of complex real estate developments, infectious enthusiasm, and love for his city and baseball, Zack Ross is the right person at the right time for this once-in-a-generation opportunity for Vancouver, Western Canada, and the country.”

Ross added, “MLB in Vancouver will showcase our city’s global character to the world. But first and foremost, this is a community asset, and we will always act as its steward.

We’re committed to working with the city and our community partners to ensure the franchise and the development reflect Vancouver’s values around reconciliation, affordable housing, sustainability, local employment, and accessibility for the youth of British Columbia and Western Canada. We’re building a ballpark this city can be proud of for generations to come — one that’s present and engaged in the community 365 days a year, not just on game days.”

TSV’s vision is a world-class MLB franchise anchored by a landmark ballpark and mixed-use development, built to generate lasting economic, civic, and community benefit for Vancouver and the broader region.

Ross didn’t mention a potential stadium site or the full cost of purchasing a franchise, but the estimated total cost of such a venture would be in the $4 billion-$6 billion range.

Continue following Coliseum for the latest updates on sports venues, stadiums and arena business news worldwide.

Coliseum is dedicated to building a global community of sports and entertainment venue professionals helping create better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and industry experts from around the world. Apply for membership through the Global Sports Venue Alliance and access the 365Coliseum Business platform.

• Tags »
• Show Vancouver Bid Corporation
• Vancouver

« Previous News: Josh Cherrington Utilita Arena Sheffield new Head of Operations
» Next News: Old Candlestick Park ballpark site entering its new era