Whitecaps up for sale, could approach $500 million

The Vancouver Whitecaps are up for sale and could fetch close to $500 million.

Majority owner Greg Kerfoot and his group that includes former NBA star Steve Nash have retained Goldman Sachs to oversee the process. Sportico pinned the franchise's value at $470 million in January.

The plan is to sell the franchise to someone who will keep it in Vancouver.

"The current ownership has built a solid foundation for the Whitecaps -- it is the right time for an owner with the platform, resources and ambition to enhance the club's ability to compete at the highest levels of Major League Soccer and steward the club in realizing its significant potential," the club said in a statement.

Kerfoot bought the team in November 2002 when it was a USL franchise for a reported $30 million. Vancouver landed an MLS expansion team in 2009 and began play in the league in 2011.

"The Vancouver Whitecaps would not be where they are today without the vision and commitment of this exceptional ownership group," MLS commissioner Don Garber said of the Kerfoot group in a statement. "The Whitecaps are a terrific club in a world-class city. On behalf of everyone at Major League Soccer, I want to thank them for their tremendous contributions and look forward to working with them to identify new ownership for the club."

Nearly three years ago, Real Salt Lake was purchased for nearly $400 million.

The Whitecaps have made the playoffs in three of the past four seasons and have star players Brian White (16 goals in 2024) and Ryan Gauld (10 goals, 15 assists) on the roster.

Some form of the Whitecaps has been in Vancouver since the franchise became part of the North American Soccer League late in 1973.

--Field Level Media