Vancouver Whitecaps CEO says proposed new stadium a bid to keep team in city [Video]

The Vancouver Whitecaps’ CEO says a proposed new team-owned stadium is part of a long-term plan to keep the city’s professional soccer team based in Vancouver.

On Friday, the Whitecaps had announced they were exploring the idea of building their own venue at the PNE fairgrounds, near where the club’s old stadium once stood.

As the club’s ownership group — Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and Steve Nash — prepares to sell the city’s Major League Soccer team, analysts say the club’s move to build their own stadium may be part of a strategy to generate more revenue.

Axel Schuster, the Whitecaps’ CEO and sporting director, told reporters Saturday the club is exploring all possible options to keep the team in Vancouver — and that stadium discussions have become part of that process.