Whitecaps MLS news

[djmk]

Originally Posted by MIPS

Perhaps if the Whitecaps didn't somehow manage to suck even worse than the Canucks it could be considered.

currently first in the league and a very good chance of beating mexican giants Pumas in the concacaf champions quarter finals.

this year, the whitecaps do not suck

[jollyburger]

“We are at the beginning of a process. We felt we were confident enough to say ‘this is a very good process.’ The city is very supportive and has come to these conversations very open minded. Our job is to have an option on the table. I don’t want to say this is limited to one certain specific (site at Hastings). … For us, that’s not so important. For us, it’s (being) on the right path to have an option for a next potential ownership group.”

He didn’t have any details because at this point, there are no details. Just the concept of a plan: not who would pay for the construction, nor whether the land would be leased or private. The site itself, while not on rapid transit, is accessible by bus and close to a major arterial highway. The existing casino could conceivably be incorporated into whatever site plan that groups involved could come up with.

The owners with the biggest share are Greg Kerfoot and Jeff Mallett, locally bred billionaires with a love of soccer and who have been willing to foot the year-over-year operating losses the team incurs. The Caps have the lowest revenue in MLS, in part because of the terms of their tenancy with B.C. Place, and the operating losses have recently exceeded the $10 million, Forbes reported.

https://theprovince.com/sports/whitecaps-vs-rapids-stadiums

[svlt]

Originally Posted by djmk

currently first in the league and a very good chance of beating mexican giants Pumas in the concacaf champions quarter finals.

this year, the whitecaps do not suck

They're also facing Miami tomorrow and Messi is confirmed to be coming. That's a huge publicity boost and if they can beat them and head to the finals - very possible since they had just beaten two teams about as good as Miami - that's a really good look. Their success couldn't have been timelier with the team for sale.

On the other hand the Canucks are hot garbage and have been except for one year since 2012 so it's not like there is a jarring difference in on-field quality.

[svlt]

Some positive news regarding the sale:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6297154...concacaf-champions-cup-semifinals-miami/

Also discussed on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/whitecapsfc/comments/1k97hzd/ownership_update_sn650/

Rumors the sale could be done in the next several months with an owner interested in keeping the team in Vancouver.

[logan5]

Would be a lot better if a stadium could be built at the corner of Renfrew and Hastings.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by logan5

Would be a lot better if a stadium could be built at the corner of Renfrew and Hastings.

With whose money?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by whatnext

With whose money?

Seems doubtful since it would impact more residents. Get rid of the horse track

Probably free land from the city.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Seems doubtful since it would impact more residents. Get rid of the horse track

Probably free land from the city.

No way, keep the track, expand the casino as that area becomes more of a year round entertainment area. Demo one of the numerous old barn like buildings around there. Or just use the old Empire Field space on the Cassiar side.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by whatnext

With whose money?

I know you like to sit at home and watch Marcus Welby and Matlock reruns, but the rest of us want to have some culture and fun in the city. The City can donate the land, which is a huge cost saving to the new owners, while the stadium itself is paid by the Whitecaps. Even if there is some tax dollars to help, I’m fine with that. We only have 1 major pro team.

Hastings and Renfrew works better because it is way more transit friendly and pedestrian/amenity friendly than by Cassiar.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by logan5

Hastings and Renfrew works better because it is way more transit friendly and pedestrian/amenity friendly than by Cassiar.

Skytrain solves that.

I agree with today's state of affairs but any development like a new stadium will be a huge area plan including a ton of amenities.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

No way, keep the track, expand the casino as that area becomes more of a year round entertainment area. Demo one of the numerous old barn like buildings around there. Or just use the old Empire Field space on the Cassiar side.

Their lease is expiring in 2026.

https://vancouversun.com/news/whitecaps-...-taxpayer-subsidy-privatizing-park-lands

[Migrant_Coconut]

The racetrack can always end up being a park or zoo or Playland expansion. I don't see the point of building yet another stadium in the area when the Agrodome and the Coliseum (sic) are right there, waiting to be torn down.

Or just take over half of Empire Field.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

The racetrack can always end up being a park or zoo or Playland expansion. I don't see the point of building yet another stadium in the area when the Agrodome and the Coliseum (sic) are right there, waiting to be torn down. Or just take over half of Empire Field.

I don't think the Coliseum is going anywhere now with PWHL going there. But yeah as I referenced there are plenty of other buildings there ready to be flattened.

[Migrant_Coconut]

How much space do they even expect to need? A quick Google search tells me a soccer stadium could easily fit inside the Livestock Barns site (and the parking lot next to it).

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

How much space do they even expect to need? A quick Google search tells me a soccer stadium could easily fit inside the Livestock Barns site (and the parking lot next to it).

Presumably they want to have space for fans to watch too.

I do think there will be a lot of other development around there too as a part of a bigger development, restaurants, bars, etc.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

How much space do they even expect to need? A quick Google search tells me a soccer stadium could easily fit inside the Livestock Barns site (and the parking lot next to it).

I mean it's just a fact of life if your sport or hobby isn't popular enough and it doesn't have political backing or generates a ton of revenue it can be replaced.

They can build on a tiny portion of the racetrack and make even more parks. Win win.

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I don't think the Coliseum is going anywhere now with PWHL going there. But yeah as I referenced there are plenty of other buildings there ready to be flattened.

Why can't the PWHL move to Rogers Place downtown? If they used to share the arena with a basketball team... surely they could figure out a schedule to put two hockey teams there.

[NewfBC]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

Why can't the PWHL move to Rogers Place downtown? If they used to share the arena with a basketball team... surely they could figure out a schedule to put two hockey teams there.

Maybe the owner of the building only wants their team(s) to play there?

Ron.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by logan5

I know you like to sit at home and watch Marcus Welby and Matlock reruns, but the rest of us want to have some culture and fun in the city. The City can donate the land, which is a huge cost saving to the new owners, while the stadium itself is paid by the Whitecaps. Even if there is some tax dollars to help, I’m fine with that. We only have 1 major pro team.

Hastings and Renfrew works better because it is way more transit friendly and pedestrian/amenity friendly than by Cassiar.

Surely a bleeding heart would rather see those million go to the home for handicapped unwed mothers with mental issues than into the pockets of millionaire sports team owners?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by NewfBC

Maybe the owner of the building only wants their team(s) to play there?

Ron.

There's no way the economics would work let alone losing concert dates.