Whats Going On With The ‘Caps

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The feeling around Vancouver right now is starting to feel familiar to sports fans in North America.

 

The Whitecaps are going through the same motions as San Jose Earthquakes fans went through in 2006 with the loss of their team, but not history. They were lucky enough the get their team back 2 years later in 2008 but the feeling left a lasting mark on the fans.

 

The Columbus Crew also went through a similar experience. They started a #savethecrew movement that had all the club’s supporters going to the city council building to voice their love. After a lot of chaos and deliberation the owner of the Cleveland Browns, Jimmy Haslam was able to step in and buy the club and keep it in Columbus.

 

So the Caps fans decided to face the down the barrel of relocation and put up their own fight.

 

A #SaveTheCaps movement was started as a result of rumors that the ownership couldn’t find a local buyer. The fear got worse as recently a bid had come in from a potential owner in Las Vegas.

 

Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against Vegas having a team. In fact I think there should be a lot more teams and a relegation system. But I’ll save that for another day.

 

The supporters really stepped and got the whole community involved. Even the Mayor was tweeting #SaveTheCaps.

 

It actually seemed to be working.

 

The Premier of BC, David Eby, had a meeting with the MLS Commissioner, Don Garber. Our Premier said the meeting went well and a path forward is possible.

Although it didn’t seem to be a shared sentiment as there was still no communication from the ownership or if a bid from a local buyer is a real opportunity.

 

What it really comes down to is whether or not a soccer specific stadium can be made in Vancouver. The ownership of the whitecaps says this is a big issue as despite selling out games, they make some of the lowest revenue in the league.

 

Its hard to argue with the facts but what I’m trying to get at is, there are so many things we as the fans don’t get to see. Quite literally we are not in the room where it happens, but I think that this fight that we put up, the passion that we can show will be felt and remembered.

 

Our effort will not go unnoticed. Keep fighting. #SaveTheCaps