Eby says MLS talks on Whitecaps ‘constructive’ as deleted post stirs controversy

VANCOUVER — B.C. Premier David Eby said talks with Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber on the Vancouver Whitecaps’ future were “constructive,” as relocation concerns for the team grow.

Garber is in Vancouver for FIFA Congress events and met with Eby on Wednesday, following reports that the league has discussed relocating the club, with Las Vegas a leading option.

Eby released a video Wednesday night saying the province is “at the table fighting hard” to keep the team in Vancouver.

“We have the World Cup coming, we are a world-class football town — losing the Whitecaps is not an option,” the premier said.

“I saw the shots of the fans out at the rally to save the Whitecaps. We are on the same side; we will fight hard to save our team.”

Hours later, a now-deleted post from Garber’s X account replied: “Liar, liar pants on fire.”

A league spokesperson later said the commissioner’s account was hacked.

About three dozen Whitecaps fans gathered Thursday outside the Vancouver Convention Centre, where the 76th FIFA Congress is being held, greeting arriving soccer dignitaries with a protest amid uncertainty over the club’s future.

Fans held “Save the Caps” signs and sang club chants.

The demonstration comes as a campaign to keep the team in the city continues online, with a petition on savethecaps.com drawing 8,550 signatures as of Thursday morning.

The province has offered financial concessions tied to BC Place Stadium, but has ruled out buying the team.

Following his meeting with Garber, Eby told reporters the province would not transfer control of the provincially owned venue to the Whitecaps to stabilize the club’s finances, and added that the team has shown no interest in that option.

The premier said he plans to meet with the MLS commissioner again.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2026.