Ryan Reynolds linked to major franchise push in NHL market

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Skyler Walker
April 30, 2026  (11:02)

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Photo credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY NETWORK

Ryan Reynolds and Canucks head coach Adam Foote suddenly share the same city spotlight as Vancouver's MLB expansion bid starts to look real.

This isn't just another loose rumor floating around town.

The latest report says Reynolds is involved in a serious ownership effort tied to a possible Major League Baseball franchise in Vancouver.

That matters because Reynolds brings more than star power.

He's already built a reputation as a sports investor, and that gives this bid a different weight than the city's older expansion talk.

The report adds that Reynolds is working with 49ers Enterprises.

That group is tied to the San Francisco 49ers and also owns stakes in other pro sports properties, including Leeds United.

Vancouver has chased this idea before. The city made a bid back in 1986, with BC Place positioned as a major piece of the original pitch.

Nothing came of that push, and the idea faded for decades. Now it's back on the table, and this time the public steps around it look more organized.

A big reason is political movement. Vancouver City Council has already approved a motion for the city to seek prospective owners for an MLB franchise.

That doesn't hand the city a team tomorrow, but it does show this is no longer just barstool speculation.

There's now a framework, a celebrity face, and a business group with serious reach.

There's also a wider sports angle here. Vancouver still carries scars from losing the Grizzlies, and the city has also dealt with talk around the Whitecaps' long-term future.

That's why this story lands hard.

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The Canucks remain the city's biggest sports identity, yet an MLB club would instantly reshape the local pro landscape.

The next pressure point is obvious: where would the team play?

BC Place gets mentioned right away, though a true baseball setup could force a much bigger stadium conversation.

And that's where this gets interesting for fans across the city, not just baseball people.

A real bid means real questions about ownership, infrastructure, timing, and whether Vancouver can support another top-league team.

For now, Reynolds has helped move the story out of fantasy territory.

Vancouver still has miles to go, but this push suddenly feels like something the city has to take seriously.

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AVRIL 30   |   392 ANSWERS Ryan Reynolds linked to major franchise push in NHL market Should Vancouver push all-in for an MLB franchise ?
Yes	290	74 %
No	102	26 %
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