The City of Vancouver and Major League Soccer’s Whitecaps have agreed to move forward with plans for a new stadium, potentially preventing the team from moving out of the city if it is sold.
Under a memorandum of understanding announced Thursday, the city and the team will exclusively negotiate development terms for the Hastings Park area stadium and entertainment district over the next year.
The deal comes as the Whitecaps’ contract with BC Place expires at the end of this year and the team is seeking a new contract with more favorable terms. The Whitecaps have also been up for sale since last year, and there is no guarantee that a new buyer will keep the team in Vancouver.
Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said the memorandum is the first step toward ensuring the team remains. Other details, such as how much the stadium would cost or who would pay for it, were not included in the agreement.
“When we announced a year ago that this club was going to be put up for sale, I told everyone that this is not the end, it’s the beginning. It’s the beginning of something new and we want to develop something new,” Schuster said. “We want to build the future of the club in Vancouver.”
first Whitecaps lose to Inter Miami in MLS title match Earlier this month, MLS commissioner Don Garber was critical of the lack of progress both in planning a new stadium and securing a favorable lease. He suggested that “difficult decisions” could be made if there is no movement.
“MLS teams, owners, fans and players have done everything they can to get the support they don’t get from cities and states today, and it’s an intolerable situation,” Garber said. “What we have there has to change, and right now we’re not necessarily moving in that direction. … We had a very positive meeting with the mayor. We’re currently looking at getting a better lease at BC Place. There’s been no movement on that, and it’s been a month.”
Vancouver owners Greg Kerfoot, Steve Rusko, Jeff Mallett and former NBA star Steve Nash announced in December that they were putting the club up for sale. Mr Mallett hinted this summer that the group’s strategy could include adding new partners.
Mayor Ken Sim spoke candidly about the team’s future prospects in the city without a new stadium.
“Call it what you will. Without this MOU, there is probably no way for the Vancouver Whitecaps to remain in Vancouver,” Sim said.
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