Whitecaps MLS news

[svlt]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

The CPL is facing some serious issues. There's a total lack of sponsors and investors in the country willing to hedge their bets on pro-sports franchises.

Still boils down to the true root issue of this country lacking competition in all business sectors. Banking, telecom, auto and real estate corporations have largely divested from anything pertaining to corporate-social responsibility. Telus is actively pulling out of sponsorship deals. Local businesses are resorting to advertising through local influencers and social media.

You also have to factor in the influx of newcomers in the past 20-30 years who predominantly come from backgrounds where team sports isn't a major priority. We have a growing population, yes, but the population could care less about MLS soccer, hockey, lacrosse and women's sports which are mostly followed by old stock Canadians. I literally think a Canadian cricket league has a better chance of drawing bigger numbers than a domestic soccer team.

There's no way. Cricket's following is massive on a global scale but exceptionally niche. Rugby's got a better chance than that.

The CPL is on life support. Before the Whitecaps situation came to head the other domestic soccer news story was that the league wouldn't survive past the 2026 World Cup. VFC/Pacific FC were thought to be next to fold - if the Whitecaps leave that might grant them a stay of execution. But quite honestly the dropoff is massive - the MLS is not a premier league by any stretch but still attracts superstars and is somewhat competitive in global play. The CPL level today is not in the same stratosphere. Plus VFC plays out of Langley so...that's a bit of a problem as well to see them as anything remotely close to a "replacement" team.

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by svlt

There's no way. Cricket's following is massive on a global scale but exceptionally niche. Rugby's got a better chance than that.

The CPL is on life support. Before the Whitecaps situation came to head the other domestic soccer news story was that the league wouldn't survive past the 2026 World Cup. VFC/Pacific FC were thought to be next to fold - if the Whitecaps leave that might grant them a stay of execution. But quite honestly the dropoff is massive - the MLS is not a premier league by any stretch but still attracts superstars and is somewhat competitive in global play. The CPL level today is not in the same stratosphere. Plus VFC plays out of Langley so...that's a bit of a problem as well to see them as anything remotely close to a "replacement" team.

You got a growing South Asian population in many hubs across Canada. There's a growing demand for Cricket fields in Southern Ontario and the Lower Mainland. This is a community that has investors and fans that could back a domestic cricket league.

Rugby is actually more niche here and lacks any sustained interest from fans.

[Glow Fun City]

Ken dreaming big again…

Should the Vancouver Whitecaps revive the Gastown waterfront stadium concept instead of pursuing Hastings Racecourse?

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-whitecaps-gastown-railyard-waterfront-stadium

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

You got a growing South Asian population in many hubs across Canada. There's a growing demand for Cricket fields in Southern Ontario and the Lower Mainland. This is a community that has investors and fans that could back a domestic cricket league.

All the South Asian sports fans I know are all-in on hockey and don't have much of an interest in cricket. logicbomb saying that hockey is "mostly followed by old stock Canadians" implies to me someone completely out of touch with Vancouver sports fans. Besides, even if we had critical mass in both Vancouver and Toronto, is it just going to be those two teams playing against each other forever? Our next biggest cities Montreal and Calgary don't exactly strike me as cricket desiring markets. I can't even imagine a market for a cricket team in LA or NYC.

[Tysonbrown]

Makes me wonder what Ken Sim knows or knew and is this why he is pushing for an MLB franchise? I think my question is rhetorical.

[jollyburger]

I mean if building a PNE stadium is a fantasy, I don't know why you think someone who wants to sell the team is going to suddenly decide to fork over the money to build a stadium on the waterfront (and all the issues that stopped it in the first place still exist). I can't even believe they want to waste time to make the Whitecaps into an election issue.

[libtard]

Its just hilarious hearing the mayor and the province talk they sound like such broke boys

"We're ready for someone to build a stadium at Hastings track. Everything is ready"

Vancouver is just not a sports town. It's a beautiful city with tons to offer but it can't be the best at everything. Other cities WILL cough up the money to help facilitate building a stadium for a new team.

[Migrant_Coconut]

New stadiums are almost always paid for by either private backers... or increased taxes. Any volunteers?

[kikin]

Originally Posted by libtard

Its just hilarious hearing the mayor and the province talk they sound like such broke boys

"We're ready for someone to build a stadium at Hastings track. Everything is ready"

Vancouver is just not a sports town. It's a beautiful city with tons to offer but it can't be the best at everything. Other cities WILL cough up the money to help facilitate building a stadium for a new team.

not to mention "Hastings Track" is a horrible location for anything like that, if a private investor thinks it can be profitable let them spend and lose the money

[jollyburger]

Some local group supposedly coming in to make a bid for the team

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/05/06/vancouver-whitecaps-local-group-planning-bid-to-buy/

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Some local group supposedly coming in to make a bid for the team

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/05/06/vancouver-whitecaps-local-group-planning-bid-to-buy/

Which is good but I’m not crazy their first pitch is aimed at “the government” which means handouts for millionaires.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Which is good but I’m not crazy their first pitch is aimed at “the government” which means handouts for millionaires.

"Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon says the group does 'seem serious' and isn't looking for provincial help" [CBC]

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Changing City

"Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon says the group does 'seem serious' and isn't looking for provincial help" [CBC]

Then why are they pitching the government?

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Then why are they pitching the government?

They own the facility that the club currently play in?

[svlt]

Originally Posted by Changing City

They own the facility that the club currently play in?

They have repeatedly said more or less BC place alone isn't the sole issue and lowering the costs there won't solve the problem permanently

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by svlt

They have repeatedly said more or less BC place alone isn't the sole issue and lowering the costs there won't solve the problem permanently

They want to sell the club for $500M+ and they can get a higher price in Vegas for various reasons. It's greed. Everything else is noise.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by svlt

They have repeatedly said more or less BC place alone isn't the sole issue and lowering the costs there won't solve the problem permanently

The existing owners have said that. We don't know what a new local ownership group has planned, including where they would play (assuming there is a group after the due dilligence that they're currently reported to be engaged in).

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by libtard

Its just hilarious hearing the mayor and the province talk they sound like such broke boys

"We're ready for someone to build a stadium at Hastings track. Everything is ready"

Vancouver is just not a sports town. It's a beautiful city with tons to offer but it can't be the best at everything. Other cities WILL cough up the money to help facilitate building a stadium for a new team.

Vancouver just offers nothing, period. It's astonishing how we're a city that has no festivities at every major holidays. No fireworks or parades in the summer.

The City attracts newcomers due to the aesthetics along with the clean air and temperate weather but people quickly realize how incredibly dull the region is.

[Glow Fun City]

Originally Posted by Changing City

The existing owners have said that. We don't know what a new local ownership group has planned, including where they would play (assuming there is a group after the due dilligence that they're currently reported to be engaged in).

Could be a developer looking to get in on that PNE lease offer? But I don't know who would have enough financing to make it happen…

[mcj]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

Vancouver just offers nothing, period. It's astonishing how we're a city that has no festivities at every major holidays. No fireworks or parades in the summer.

The City attracts newcomers due to the aesthetics along with the clean air and temperate weather but people quickly realize how incredibly dull the region is.

We offer the lowest property taxes in NA.