City\u2019s communications department: ‘We are not commenting on the number, status or details of submissions while that process is underway.’<\/p>\n
The City of Vancouver has received \u201csubmissions\u201d from parties interested in bringing a Major League Baseball (MLB) team to Vancouver.<\/p>\n
But the city will not provide details on number of submissions, names of potential proponents or how viable the bid or bids are for what would be an expensive venture for a group pursuing an expansion team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe city is now completing its intake and review process, including confirming what was received and what can be disclosed at this stage,\u201d said the city\u2019s communications department in an email Friday, June 19.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not commenting on the number, status or details of submissions while that process is underway. The city will provide an update when there is information we can share publicly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The deadline for potential ownership groups to submit a proposal via the city\u2019s \u201cexpression of interest\u201d posting was June 19 at 3 p.m. Bids were to be submitted via the city\u2019s electronic procurement portal, which is closed to the public.<\/p>\n
Mayor Ken Sim is the reason the city launched a request for \u201cexpressions of interest\u201d to seek what the city\u2019s bid page described as \u201cproponents with capability, expertise and know-how to pursue and secure a Major League Baseball expansion franchise in Vancouver.\u201d<\/p>\n
Business in Vancouver contacted Sim\u2019s office to ask the same questions posed to the city\u2019s communications department. The response from Sim\u2019s staff was equally vague about whether a viable bid was received.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a staff-led process, and the mayor\u2019s office is not involved in the review or evaluation of submissions,\u201d said a member of Sim\u2019s staff in an email. \u201cQuestions regarding the process should be directed to city staff and the communications team. We look forward to receiving any recommendations that emerge from their work.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"simbaseball\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simbaseball.jpg;w=960.jpeg\"\/)
\nMayor Ken Sim:\u00a0\u201cWhat I can tell you is that the credible people that are interested\u2014and there will be a lot of people interested\u2014they will bring a network and know-how that understands this process very well.” | Photo Mike Howell
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‘A lot of people interested’<\/p>\n
BIV\u00a0reported April 14<\/a> that Sim was making a pitch to land an MLB team in Vancouver. At the time, the mayor indicated there was genuine interest from parties in working with the city on a bid.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I can tell you is that the credible people that are interested\u2014and there will be a lot of people interested\u2014they will bring a network and know-how that understands this process very well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The mayor\u2019s interest in requesting the city launch a request for potential backers of a team is based on the MLB wanting to expand, as well as\u00a0MLB commissioner Rob Manfred\u2019s comments about a potential Vancouver franchise.<\/p>\n In an interview on Sportsnet radio prior to the 2025 World Series, Manfred said that \u201canother city in Canada clearly could work for us.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cVancouver\u2019s a great city,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The commissioner said he visited Western Canada last summer and noted the support for the Toronto Blue Jays.<\/p>\n Manfred said he was \u201cabsolutely blown away by the Blue Jay gear, the talk about the Blue Jays, how into it [the people] are.\u201d<\/p>\n He also remarked on the number of Blue Jays fans from Canada who regularly attend Jays\u2019 games in the annual series against the Mariners in Seattle.<\/p>\n Sim said in the April interview with BIV that no taxpayer money is contemplated in the process to land a team, explaining that council\u2019s role is simply to get behind a bid from potential owners to strengthen the chances of a group bringing a franchise to Vancouver.<\/p>\n Council decision in July?<\/p>\n The bid document says that if a group comes forward with a proposal\u2014and then is approved by an evaluation panel\u2014that city staff will \u201cmake a recommendation for city council consideration before the end of July.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe city expects to enter into a memorandum of understanding [MOU] with the successful proponent, which would include, among other things, the terms upon which the parties would cooperate to bring Major League Baseball to Vancouver,\u201d the document said.<\/p>\n The bid document included a question-and-answer section and indicated that building a stadium to play baseball would be the responsibility of the potential ownership group.<\/p>\n \u201cNo decision has been made on a stadium,\u201d the document said. \u201cProponents would be expected to finance the development, including design, construction and operations of any such stadium. The proponent would need to include in their proposed business model all assumptions regarding and expectations of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n Whether a potential stadium would include the city contributing land or any other subsidy would need to be proposed by the proponent and would be subject to detailed analysis, public process and council approval, the document said.<\/p>\n BIV’s free newsletters cover daily business, real estate, B.C. politics and more. Sign up here<\/a> for B.C.\u2019s most important business news delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n