Vancouver is aggressively positioning itself to land a Major League Baseball expansion franchise by 2029, while efforts in Montreal remain stalled due to a lack of investor backing. According to sports reports from Cogeco Media, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has taken proactive steps to secure a team before the end of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s current mandate.
During the MLB All-Star Game, Commissioner Manfred confirmed that the league has already formed the committee responsible for overseeing the upcoming expansion process.
Vancouver’s Proactive Push for an MLB Franchise
Vancouver’s bid is anchored by local momentum and political leadership. According to sports broadcaster Jeremy Filosa of Cogeco Media, Mayor Ken Sim took the initiative well before public discussions gained traction, aligning with local business figures like Zach Ross to prepare the city for a potential franchise.
“I love the proactivity of Vancouver Mayor Sim, who took the bull by the horns before anyone even talked about it publicly,” Filosa stated during an appearance on the Amateurs de sports segment on 98.5 FM.
City officials are targeting a 2029 entry timeline, matching the anticipated window for MLB’s next phase of growth.
Montreal Stalled on the Sidelines
In contrast to Vancouver’s active campaign, Montreal’s quest to bring back Major League Baseball is currently on hold. According to sports radio analysis from 98.5 FM, the project is at a standstill because no investor seems interested in the project.
MLB Expansion Timeline and Next Steps
- Committee Status: An MLB expansion committee is already formed and evaluating prospective markets.
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