Vancouver's MLB Push
Vancouver Selects TSV as Preferred Partner to Lead Major League Baseball Expansion Bid
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Key Points
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TSV's leadership roster includes Zack Ross, president of Vancouver-based Cape Group, along with BRS Sports veterans Jac Sperling, Ray Baker and Tim Romani; Sperling previously helped launch three North American expansion franchises and aided in bringing the NHL’s Seattle Kraken to Seattle, while Romani founded CAA Icon, contributing to venues like the Clippers’ Intuit Dome and Calgary’s Scotia Place.
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Populous has been selected to design the ballpark, bringing a portfolio that includes Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and Truist Park, underscoring the pedigree behind Vancouver’s envisioned flagship venue.
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BC Place’s MLB history provides context for potential site considerations: it hosted MLB exhibition games in the 1980s–1990s (Blue Jays, Mariners, Expos) and underwent a $500 million renovation in 2011 that added a retractable roof and a new scoreboard.
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The bid has garnered notable local and regional support, including a letter signed by more than 150 leaders and endorsements from former Vancouver mayor and B.C. premier Mike Harcourt, as well as support from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
Vancouver has chosen The Show Vancouver (TSV) as its preferred private-sector partner to pursue a Major League Baseball expansion franchise, the city announced this week. The selection puts real estate developer Zack Ross and a roster of seasoned sports executives at the front of a bid that could bring the first MLB team to Canada since the Montreal Expos departed in 2004. CityNews Vancouver reported that the city has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TSV to formalize the next steps.
Under the agreement, TSV will cover all costs — design, construction, and operations — as the bid moves forward. No franchise, ballpark site, or development decisions have been made yet. The deal advances the bid into a new stage, with further city council votes still required. Sport Business noted that TSV won out in a competitive selection process that began with a formal request for expressions of interest launched in April.
Who Is Leading the TSV Bid
TSV was founded by Zack Ross, president of Vancouver-based Cape Group. He is joined by three veterans from BRS Sports: Jac Sperling, Ray Baker, and Tim Romani. Sperling helped launch three North American expansion franchises and played a key role in bringing the NHL's Seattle Kraken to life. Romani founded CAA Icon, a firm that contributed to high-profile venues including the LA Clippers' Intuit Dome and Calgary's Scotia Place. The Deep Dive highlighted the depth of sports-industry experience the group brings to the table.
On the design side, TSV has hired Populous to plan the ballpark. Populous built Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and Truist Park — three of the most recognized baseball venues in North America. Gensler, a global architecture firm, will handle the surrounding mixed-use development. The project envisions a landmark ballpark paired with shops, housing, and other amenities, though no site has been chosen yet.
How Vancouver Won the Selection Process
The city launched a formal Request for Expressions of Interest in April. Groups had until June 19 to submit their proposals. City staff vetted the submissions and recommended TSV as the preferred partner. Head Topics reported that the selection reflects Vancouver's ambition to become a serious MLB expansion candidate. The Memorandum of Understanding now makes TSV responsible for all financial risk as both sides explore viable sites and refine the bid strategy.
Broad Community Support Behind the Bid
More than 150 local and regional leaders have signed a letter backing the bid. Supporters include former Vancouver mayor and BC premier Mike Harcourt, as well as the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. Backers point to economic benefits and civic pride as key reasons to pursue the franchise. Calgary Journal noted that the broad coalition signals strong grassroots momentum behind the effort.
BC's Baseball Past Sets the Stage
Vancouver is not new to big-league baseball. BC Place hosted MLB exhibition games in the 1980s and 1990s, featuring the Blue Jays, Mariners, and Expos. The stadium underwent a $500 million renovation in 2011, gaining a retractable roof and a new scoreboard. While BC Place offers historical ties to the sport, CityNews Vancouver confirmed no ballpark site has been selected, and the city still has key decisions ahead before a formal MLB bid can be submitted.
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