Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim faced big questions Wednesday about his plan to bring a Major League Baseball (MLB) team to the city.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Sim introduced a motion to city council to begin the process of identifying investors who could be be part of an ownership group for a potential Vancouver franchise.<\/p>\n
\u201cVancouver has long been identified as a potential expansion market for the MLB and continues to demonstrate strong support for baseball at both the major and minor league levels,\u201d Sim said.<\/p>\n
But critics say the league is unlikely to expand to a city that doesn\u2019t have a plan to support a team.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Sportsnet 650\u2019s Halford & Brough in the Morning, Sim had a chance to answer some of the questions about his plan.<\/p>\n
When asked why he would start the process now, Sim said it\u2019s important to be proactive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know cities like Nashville, Portland: they are all over this right now, and we want to make sure we\u2019re in the running. And so we\u2019re putting a call out there. If people \u2014 serious bidders want to be part of this process. We want to identify them,\u201d said Sim.<\/p>\n
The mayor wouldn\u2019t reveal the names of potential investors, but says his office is \u201cexcited about the quality\u201d of those expressing interest.<\/p>\n
He admits the project would cost billions of dollars, but promises it won\u2019t be funded by the taxpayer.<\/p>\n
Speculating about potential locations for a stadium, Sim said he could imagine the team\u2019s home at the PNE, Burrard Inlet, and False Creek. He says BC Place is \u201cnot very well suited for baseball.\u201d<\/p>\n
If his motion is approved on April 22, Sim says bidders would have approximately 60 days to submit, and a prospective location should be included.<\/p>\n
Sim\u2019s motion comes as the Vancouver Canucks remain without a practice facility \u2014 though reports claim the team is close to striking a deal with the city on the use of Britannia Ice Rink \u2014 and the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC is uncertain.<\/p>\n
He says the city has done its part to keep the soccer team in Vancouver, after signing a memorandum of understanding in December, 2025, promising to explore Hastings Park as its new, permanent home.<\/p>\n
The provincial government, Sim says, now holds the power to negotiate with and retain the Whitecaps FC.<\/p>\n
Per the arrival of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver, Sim told Sportsnet he thinks the city\u2019s in a \u201cpretty good spot.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s confident the security infrastructure and facilities will be ready on time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s going to be phenomenal,\u201d said Sim.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still truly believe that people aren\u2019t aware of how big this actually is and how much of a buzz there\u2019s going to be in our city.\u201d<\/p>\n