Most B.C. residents want Major League Baseball team in Vancouver, poll finds

A crowd is seen at a Vancouver Canadians baseball game.

A majority of British Columbians would like to see Vancouver get a Major League Baseball team, according to a new survey conducted amid plans for a league expansion.

Research Co. found 72 per cent of B.C. residents consider it either a “good” or “very good” idea for the city, compared to just nine per cent who see it as “bad” or “very bad.”

The remaining 19 per cent of survey respondents said they aren’t sure.

Pollsters noted there was broad support across the political spectrum, geographic regions and other demographics.

More than half of those polled said they would be either “somewhat likely” or “very likely” to attend at least one home game per year should Vancouver get an MLB team.

• Related: Vancouver mayor wants city to bid for MLB franchise

League commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed hopes two new teams can be chosen by the end of his tenure in 2029, but said they wouldn’t actually begin playing until much later.

Meanwhile, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is putting forward a motion at city council this week to launch an “expression of interest process” for potential franchise owners.

“An open, transparent, and competitive process ensures we identify a capable partner with the ability to deliver a team that works for our city,” Sim said in a statement announcing the proposal.

Some have expressed skepticism about the idea, including Matt Sekeres, co-host of the podcast Sekeres & Price, who noted the team would require either a new stadium or “one heck of a retrofit to B.C. Place.”

Montreal has also previously expressed interest in bringing an MLB team back to the city.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Lisa Steacy and Isabella Zavarise