MLS Commissioner Don Garber said that the Whitecaps’ stadium deal “‘isn’t optimal’ because of scheduling issues and the limited revenue the club receives from food and beverage sales,” according to Gemma Karstens-Smith of the CP. Garber is heading to Vancouver to “lobby for change.” He will speak with business leaders and public officials during the trip, with the stadium deal “high on his list of talking points.” B.C. Place, a 55,000-seat venue in Vancouver’s downtown core, is owned by PavCo, which leases the venue to tenants. Garber said, “The club isn’t sustainable in a situation where they’re … in a building which they have no control over, they have minimal participation with revenue. The biggest issue is the lack of schedule flexibility.” The Whitecaps’ current lease with B.C. Place expires at the end of December. B.C. Place said in a statement that it is “currently having ‘productive discussions’ with the MLS club about renewing its lease.” The statement noted that renovations are “currently underway for new premium hospitality areas,” and that tenants “will have more opportunities to generate revenue next season.” The commissioner sees his role in the talks as “sitting down with community and government leaders to explain what kind of value teams provide and talk about how the league is a good partner.” Garber said that despite the business dealings, the Whitecaps “remain healthy” (CP, 11/4).
Garber lobbies for improved Whitecaps stadium deal
