“Our chance has arrived, and this should be a home run,” Sim said.<\/p>\n
He said the MLB is considering adding two new expansion teams over the next few years and that the commissioner of the MLB is interested in teams in the west.<\/p>\n
Sim submitted the motion calling to start the process, saying it’s a “once-in-a-generation opportunity.”<\/p>\n
He added the plan could bring economic activity, civic pride and “another world-class amenity” to Vancouver.<\/p>\n
“I want to assure everyone that this motion did not come out of left field,” Sim said at council. “Our office has been approached by serious proponents regarding a potential bid for the MLB.”<\/p>\n
He called the interested parties “incredibly credible.”<\/p>\n
And the city wouldn’t use tax dollars to pay to bring a franchise to Vancouver or build a stadium, according to Sim.<\/p>\n
“It’s my intention at least that there will be absolutely no public money involved,” Sim said.<\/p>\n
But one councillor expressed concerns and voted against Sim’s motion.<\/p>\n
Coun. Sean Orr pressed Sim on whether an MLB stadium would use public land.<\/p>\n
Sim said the question was “getting ahead of ourselves.”<\/p>\n
“I’m sure there are numerous sites across the city that could be potentially used for a Major League Baseball stadium,” Sim said.<\/p>\n
![\"First](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bbe2d7f9ad539edd0a2a8617e2f0e506.jpeg\"\/)
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First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reacts as the Toronto Blue Jays clinch the American League Championship Series in Game 7 at home in Toronto in October. (Evan Mitsui\/CBC)<\/p>\n
Orr also asked Sim who the proponents were, but Sim did not answer and said starting the expression of interest process was to create transparency.<\/p>\n
City manager Donny van Dyk told councillors that while professional sports expansions are unusual, unsolicited proposals to council and the mayor are not.<\/p>\n
He said best practice is to open a bid process to ensure staff are meeting with credible proponents.<\/p>\n