Vancouver elected a new mayor over the weekend.
Pete Fry will formally take over from Ken Sim on Nov. 2, leaving sports fans to wonder how this will affect a pair of important files.
Let’s begin with the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have been for sale for nearly two calendar years and are at risk of permanently leaving the city. The ‘Caps will play at BC Place for the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, but there are no assurances beyond next summer.
There have been a ton of mixed messages regarding the Whitecaps this year, ever since rumours of a possible relocation to Las Vegas got everyone’s attention back in April. On the other end of the spectrum was a report in August that the Whitecaps had a “done deal” to run BC Place.
So are they staying, or are they going?
Politicians have sounded optimistic when it comes to keeping the ‘Caps in Vancouver, but Whitecaps CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster has provided much less reason for enthusiasm.
It’s been nearly one year since the City of Vancouver signed a memorandum of understanding with the Whitecaps, allowing for the potential to build a new stadium at Hastings Park. There hasn’t been much talk about it in the time since.
In a wide-ranging interview with Kenneth Chan of Daily Hive Urbanized, the mayor-elect seemed to suggest that BC Place is the more realistic option for the Whitecaps.
“I worry a little bit that we haven’t had much buzz about the future of the Whitecaps lately, and maybe, if we’re too sleepy on it, we might lose. So that’s definitely going to be a priority file to lean in on,” Fry said.
Fry appears to be a Whitecaps fan, noting that he grew up supporting the team. He expressed some concern about the club’s future and called the Whitecaps file a “priority.” But ultimately, the provincial government will play a much bigger role in securing a future for the Whitecaps in Vancouver.
“On the Whitecaps, obviously it’s super complicated,” said Fry. “I appreciate the original initiative around Hastings Park. I don’t know that it’s as viable as, like, figuring it out at BC Place, but obviously PavCo is a Crown corporation, and they have their own kind of management structure and issues. It was a great venue for FIFA. It’s a great venue for the Whitecaps.”
“Heavy hitters” involved in Vancouver MLB bid
Will Vancouver be an MLB city one day? (Vancouver Canadians)
Another priority for Fry? Major League Baseball.
The mayor could play a key part in helping to secure land for a new ballpark if The Show Vancouver’s bid proves successful.
“Both MLB and Whitecaps will be catch-all priorities, for sure,” Fry said. “These are priorities in supporting — not necessarily financially supporting. I’m not proposing any kind of big money bailout or anything.”
It’s more about “facilitating” matters, Fry says.
“With MLB, I have had some insights into what’s being proposed and what’s being planned, and my understanding is that it’s really at no cost to the city. It’s just us facilitating and showing the encouragement,” said Fry, who was on city council during Sim’s four years as mayor.
Fry provided some insight into MLB’s interest in Vancouver as well as the team behind the city’s bid. Real estate developer Zack Ross is leading the charge for The Show Vancouver, but he’ll need billionaire financial backing. Apparently some “heavy hitters” are involved in the bid.
“I also understand that MLB is interested in Vancouver because it’s a gateway to emerging markets in China and India for television rights, and so they see this as a potential win-win, and that sounds great if people see the potential,” Fry said.
“I don’t really know to what extent the economics work, but other people do, and I know that there are some heavy hitters that are involved in this bid that see the potential. I’m going to defer to the experts on that, and it sounds like it’s a winner for the city.”