Premier David Eby and Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber met twice this week, including a previously unreported encounter at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. The discussions centered on the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have lost at least $400 million since joining MLS in 2011, with a significant portion coming in the last five years.
Meetings and Stakeholders
On Thursday, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim revealed he sat next to Garber at the FIFA Congress, but Postmedia learned that Premier Eby was also present, entering through a different door. Garber also met with Deputy Tourism Minister Silas Brownsey and PavCo President and CEO Rehana Din. The league described the talks as constructive and remains focused on keeping the team in Vancouver.
Financial Challenges
The Whitecaps' owners—Greg Kerfoot, Jeff Mallett, Stephen Luczo, and Steve Nash—announced plans to sell the team in December 2024. Despite rising ticket sales and on-field success, costs have escalated while revenues remained flat. CEO Axel Schuster noted the average MLS club has $40 million more revenue than the Whitecaps. A team source confirmed past losses of about $10 million per season, which have grown dramatically.
Path Forward
To stay in Vancouver, the Whitecaps need a new owner and a stadium deal. Garber is expected to return in two weeks to discuss managing B.C. Place. The team seeks a naming rights deal and comprehensive food and beverage sponsorships. A stadium management deal would buy time to build a new stadium, with exclusive rights to develop the Hastings Racecourse site until December.
Meanwhile, a bid from Grant Gustavson of a billionaire family to buy and move the team to Las Vegas has emerged, but the league is not rushing to consider it. MLS prefers to keep the Whitecaps in Vancouver to preserve future expansion options in U.S. cities like Las Vegas, Portland, Detroit, Sacramento, and Tampa.
