Nash: Vancouver Franchise By 2011

Phoenix Suns player and soccer fanatic Steve Nash has gone public with his interest in bringing Major League Soccer to the city of Vancouver in the near future. Speaking to reporters during All-Star Game festivities in Toronto, the two-time NBA MVP divulged that he was willing to put a significant amount of money toward making the project happen, though he did not want to be a majority owner.
Vancouver already hosts a USL-1 franchise - the Whitecaps – for which the hoopster’s brother Martin Nash currently suits up. A potential Whitecaps “promotion” to MLS became a real possibility over the past year when it was announced that the USL’s Seattle Sounders franchise would become the league’s 15th team, to begin play in 2009.

"I am really excited to be a part of the Whitecaps organization and play a role in our application to join Major League Soccer," Nash said. "This new partnership is a great fit for me. My passion for soccer and commitment to the community is well aligned with the Whitecaps vision."

MLS expansion has been a hot topic of discussion recently, culminating during All-Star Week with the proclamation from Commission Don Garber that the Board of Governors has approved a plan for inclusion of two more teams for the 2011 season.

“Expansion is being driving by the success we’ve had in Toronto,” said Garber. “It is the blueprint of what we want to see happen throughout the rest of the United States and Canada.

“We understand that [Canada] is passionate about the sport, but that passion is not enough,” he continued. “We need to make sure it makes good business sense here in comparison to adding those teams down in the United States.”

Currently, 14 teams constitute the league, with Seattle to join next year and Philadelphia following in 2010. Several other cities have been repeatedly brought up as potential homes for a future MLS franchise including, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Diego, a 2nd New York City team, St. Louis, Miami, Portland, and Montreal.