Bears urged to abandon $4.7bn relocation over lack of funding as Roger Goodell tours rival sites
The Chicago Bears are seeking to reach their first NFC Championship game since the 2010 season, but there is a lot of noise going on off the field.
As it stands, though, a two-state bidding war is unfolding over the future of the NFL juggernauts’ future home.
The No. 2 seeded Bears pulled off a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback to eliminate their NFC North rivals Green Bay Packers from the playoffs in their wild-card showdown at Soldier Field.
Now, they are preparing to take on the No. 5 Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round with a place in the conference championship up for grabs.
But quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears may not play many more playoff games at their iconic stadium, which could be a huge disadvantage to them going forward.
Soldier Field has hosted the team since 1924, but the 61,500-capacity arena has become outdated as it struggles to meet the requirements of the modern NFL.
With that in mind, the Bears announced that they were getting ready to break ground on a $4.7 billion domed facility in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with an opening date estimated to be in 2029.
However, Chicago bosses are now faced with the growing possibility of moving the team across state lines.
The city of Gary, Indiana has unveiled its proposal to pursue the historic NFL franchise by releasing three renderings of potential stadiums.
“Back in 1994, the Chicago Bears saw potential in Gary, and we have never forgotten that vote of confidence,” Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said in a statement on Friday.
“Thirty years later, Gary is even better positioned. Gary’s proposal gives the Bears the tax certainty and stability that the organization says is key to success.”
“A move to Gary isn’t just about a building; it’s about building a dynasty. There’s a reason we call this region Chicagoland,” Melton added.
“Gary is just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago—closer than Arlington Heights—minutes from the Gary Chicago International Airport and uniquely positioned with waterfront views straight to Chicago’s skyline.
“No other location offers this combination of proximity, identity alignment, and iconic visual connection to Chicago.
“Unlike Arlington Heights, we have support of local, county and state leaders.”
The city’s proposal includes three potential sites they dub as “plug-and-play sites that, if approved, would be ready for immediate development.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was spotted alongside that Bears Chairman George McCaskey and CEO Kevin Warren at the 326-acre plot of the former Arlington International Racecourse just hours after Chicago’s historic playoff victory.
But hours later the trio were seen crossing state lines into Northwest Indiana, where they were said to be touring several “dark horse” sites.
Village of Arlington Heights and Illinois state leaders fight back
The Bears are not looking for public funds going toward their stadium on the site of the former Arlington International Racecourse, but expect a contribution on infrastructure.
In the wake of Gary’s latest proposal, Arlington Heights, Illinois has now responded.
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia has led the charge on calling for local lawmakers to approve a “mega projects bill”, which would support large-scale developments.
“We all know when we have our own homes that you’re going to be taxed a certain percentage,” Tinaglia said. “Right now, the Bears don’t know what that is, and it’s a little bit of a scary number.”
“We can’t fumble this opportunity.”
Tinaglia insists that the bill isn’t just tailor made for the Bears, but to give rise to other large-scale development opportunities in the state.
“This is not a Bears bill. This is a tool that will exist in the Illinois governmental toolbox to attract major projects across Illinois…” he added.
“We must stand together, not as Arlington Heights residents, not as Chicago residents. We’re all Illinoisans today.
“This is about keeping the Bears in Illinois and giving them the tools to do so.”
Similarly, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has changed his tune significantly.
This comes as he is now no longer insisting that the Bears pay off their outstanding debt – in the region of $532 million – on previous renovations to Soldier Field before considering the possibility of relocating elsewhere.
“I believe it’s best for the Bears to stay in the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said on Friday.
“I’ve always said that. I do not think the fans want the Chicago Bears to be based anywhere else except in the state of Illinois.”
The scenario in which the Bears find themselves in is eerily similar to that of the Kansas City Chiefs, who ultimately made the announcement that they were to move away from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri and across state lines into Kansas.
Whether the Bears will follow suit, though, remains to be seen.
Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
