Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim faced big questions Wednesday about his plan to bring a Major League Baseball (MLB) team to the city.
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.
“Vancouver 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,” Sim said.
But critics say the league is unlikely to expand to a city that doesn’t have a plan to support a team.
In an interview with Sportsnet 650’s Halford & Brough in the Morning, Sim had a chance to answer some of the questions about his plan.
When asked why he would start the process now, Sim said it’s important to be proactive.
“We know cities like Nashville, Portland: they are all over this right now, and we want to make sure we’re in the running. And so we’re putting a call out there. If people — serious bidders want to be part of this process. We want to identify them,” said Sim.
The mayor wouldn’t reveal the names of potential investors, but says his office is “excited about the quality” of those expressing interest.
He admits the project would cost billions of dollars, but promises it won’t be funded by the taxpayer.
Speculating about potential locations for a stadium, Sim said he could imagine the team’s home at the PNE, Burrard Inlet, and False Creek. He says BC Place is “not very well suited for baseball.”
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.
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Sim’s motion comes as the Vancouver Canucks remain without a practice facility — though reports claim the team is close to striking a deal with the city on the use of Britannia Ice Rink — and the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC is uncertain.
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.
The provincial government, Sim says, now holds the power to negotiate with and retain the Whitecaps FC.
Per the arrival of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver, Sim told Sportsnet he thinks the city’s in a “pretty good spot.”
He’s confident the security infrastructure and facilities will be ready on time.
“I think it’s going to be phenomenal,” said Sim.
“I still truly believe that people aren’t aware of how big this actually is and how much of a buzz there’s going to be in our city.”
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