Settlement Approved in Vancouver Whitecaps Class-Action Lawsuit
The British Columbia Supreme Court has authorized a settlement of CAN $475,000 (approximately $347,000) to be paid by the Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer (MLS). This follows a class-action lawsuit stemming from a match in 2024, where Lionel Messi was heavily promoted but ultimately did not play in the game held in Canada.
This incident dates back to spring 2024, leading up to Inter Miami’s game against the Whitecaps on May 25. This marked Messi’s debut full season in MLS, and he was prominently featured in marketing efforts aimed at boosting ticket sales. Ticket prices surged as the Whitecaps sought to capitalize on Miami’s visit, joining other MLS teams in elevating fees when facing a star-studded lineup, including Messi’s former Barcelona teammates, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.
The Whitecaps had anticipated a lucrative event, organizing large street festivals to enhance the match-day atmosphere and aiming for attendance records. However, just two days before the game, it was revealed that Messi, Busquets, and Suarez would not make the trip. In an unusual move for soccer, the home team publicly disclosed the players’ status. Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster announced on the team’s official site that, while they had not received an official update, the absences were expected. The team offered some concessions, such as discounted food and free tickets for future games to affected fans.
Despite these efforts, fan anger persisted. Rachele Renzi expressed her dissatisfaction, highlighting that she had paid $335 for a ticket for her brother, a devoted Messi fan, who traveled 5,545 miles from Italy to attend. She criticized the high ticket prices driven by Messi-focused marketing and called for better compensation, rather than just discounts on food.
The lawsuit was initiated by British Columbia resident Ho Chun, who claimed to have purchased tickets under the impression that the prominent players would participate. His legal representatives contended that the marketing materials misleadingly suggested the three players would play, leading to inflated ticket prices—ten times higher than regular games—following a “bait-and-switch” tactic when their absences were announced.
Although the Whitecaps and MLS denied any wrongdoing, citing that they were not responsible for the players’ decisions, they agreed to the settlement to avoid further legal costs. The settlement stipulates that CAN $475,000, minus legal costs and a small honorarium, will be donated to three sports charities, namely KidSport BC, Canada SCORES, and BGC South Coast BC. Furthermore, the Whitecaps will revise their ticketing terms to clarify that player participation is not guaranteed.
Justice Andrew Majawa described the settlement as “fair” and acknowledged the adverse online backlash faced by the lead plaintiff, Ho Chun, due to the case’s publicity. He noted that such negative digital remarks could deter future potential plaintiffs from coming forward. A spokesperson for the Vancouver Whitecaps confirmed that the court had approved the settlement, which will be executed according to the established terms.
