The city says The Show Vancouver (TSV) has accepted its request for expressions of interest into landing a Major League Baseball team here

A group of businesspeople from across North America has accepted the City of Vancouver’s request for expressions of interest into bringing Major League Baseball to town.

The city announced Wednesday that The Show Vancouver (TSV) has been selected by the city as the “preferred partner” in pursuing a pro team.

The city reached out to potential bidders in April; TSV emerged as the proponent through that process and a memorandum of understanding has been signed.

TSV is founded by Zack Ross, president of the Cape Group real estate development company based in Vancouver.

“Vancouver is my home and it is one of the great cities in the world, and we deserve a Major League Baseball team,” said Ross, who is acting as CEO of TSV. “Our vision is a world-class MLB franchise anchored by a landmark ballpark and mixed-use real estate development at an iconic site, creating a destination that generates economic activity, civic pride and community benefit for generations. This is a significant moment in the process to successfully bring an MLB team to Vancouver and we thank the city for the effort they put into this selection process.”

The group cites broad support for the idea of pro ball in B.C., including a recently signed letter of support from more than 150 leaders and an expression of support from former Vancouver mayor and B.C. premier Mike Harcourt.

“More than seven-in-10 British Columbians would welcome a Major League Baseball team in Vancouver,” said Mario Canseco, president of Research Co. “And fewer than one-in-10 think having an MLB team is a bad idea.”

B.C.’s biggest board of trade is also on board.

“Major sports franchises can serve as significant economic drivers, generating investment, attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and creating opportunities across a wide range of sectors,” said Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. “They also contribute to the overall vitality and competitiveness of a region by enhancing its profile as a destination to live, work, visit and invest. We look forward to seeing this work continue and to learning more about the opportunities a potential MLB franchise could create for Vancouver and the broader regional economy.”

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has made it clear he would like to see pro baseball expanded to 32 teams from the current 30, and has said Vancouver makes sense as another Canadian city in the league.

Joining the Cape Group in the TSV leadership group is BRS Sports LLC, “a team of three of North America’s most accomplished sports franchises and sports facility development professionals.”

Jac Sperling has advised on the purchase or sale of 14 pro sports teams in the NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS and others, and has helped with the construction or renovation of eight pro sports facilities. He has served on the NHL and NBA board of governors and has acted as a special adviser to the NBA commissioner. He has been alternate governor of the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2017.

Ray Baker is a Denver-based real estate and business leader with experience in ballpark development and stadium district governance including the group that financed, built and leases Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies.

Tim Romani is the founder of Icon Venue Group, which was acquired by Creative Artists Agency to become CAA Icon. TSV said Roman “is universally recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent sports facility developers.”

Other partners include CAA Icon as the owner’s representative; Populous Ballpark Architects, a sports venue design firm; and Gensler real estate development architects and planners, which will be involved in the mixed-use development next to the ballpark.

As TSV goes ahead with potential sites and the development of a possible expansion bid, it will be responsible for all costs and financial risks, the city said.

“No decisions have been made regarding a potential MLB franchise, ballpark location or associated development,” said the City of Vancouver in a news release. “At this stage, the city will collaborate with TSV as it explores and develops a potential expansion bid.

“Any future project agreements, site selection, land-use decisions, development approvals, lease arrangements or other related matters would be subject to future council consideration and approval.”