Pennsylvania governor bullish on Eagles relocation after ‘sober’ comments from $8bn owner

The Philadelphia Eagles will explore stadium options beyond Lincoln Financial Field, but Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro is confident the team will be staying local.

With the Linc’s lease set to expire in 2032, team owner Jeffrey Lurie has made it clear that all options are on the table when it comes to finding a future home.

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At the NFL‘s annual meeting earlier this month, he explained that the Eagles are conducting ‘exploratory research’ on the prospect of a new, or renovated, stadium.

That research dates back to 2025, when the organization sent out surveys to season-ticket holders to gather their opinions on the subject.

“Is there anything we can learn from Nashville and Buffalo?” Lurie, who has a net worth of $8bn, asked at his news conference.

“Is there anything we can learn from the renovations in Madrid and Barcelona? It’s really important.

“I think we want to maximize fan amenities and attract the best possible environment for Philadelphia. And to do that, you’ve really got to do the exploratory research.

“Don’t rush into it. This is a big decision.”

Suggestion that the Eagles could one day relocate from Philly caused uproar, given Lincoln Financial Field remains one of the best places to watch football on any given Sunday.

The Birds have called the Linc home for 23 years, and thousands of passionate fans pack the stadium to watch their beloved team play.

They have been known to create the most electric — and intense — atmosphere in the NFL.

But in modern times, a handful of teams have swapped the city for suburbs, where there is more space to build state-of-the-art, domed stadiums.

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The Cleveland Browns are moving out of their downtown home to build 16 miles south, while the Chicago Bears look ready to depart the iconic Soldier Field.

There is worry, from some, that the Eagles could follow suit. Governor Shapiro, though, is confident it won’t come to that.

Pennsylvania governor bullish on Eagles relocation

“I thought Jeffrey’s comments were very thoughtful and sober, he wasn’t sabre-rattling,” Shapiro told unCovering the Birds host Jeff McLane, of a potential move.

“We’re not going to lose the Birds.

“They’re going to stay in Philly, and we’re going to make sure of that.”

Shapiro went on to suggest that any new stadium, or renovations to the current home field in Philly, will need to work for both the team and the local taxpayers.

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He continued: “We’re going to do it in a way that protects the Eagles, and protects the taxpayers.

“I’m confident that when it comes time to sitting down and having a conversation, that we’ll be able to have a really productive and professional conversation.”

Why are the Eagles exploring a new stadium?

The Eagles have been no strangers to success in recent years.

Philly has won two Super Bowl titles in the last nine years, but has never had a stadium to host the NFL’s biggest event.

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That could change in the coming years with a new or renovated facility for the Eagles, if it features a roof.

Lurie has previously discussed the idea that Philly deserves to host the Super Bowl and other big sporting events.

“I love outdoor football. I love the cold games. I like the hot games, like the snow games,” he said last year.

“On the other hand, Philadelphia deserves to host the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, lots of great events.

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“It’s an incredible sports city. Does it deserve it? Yes. So we have to balance all those things.”

That’s a statement Shapiro has echoed too.

“I think we’ve proven that we can land big events here, and we can do big things here,” Shapiro said.

“We’ve got a history of doing that… there are big events that we know how to pull off here in Pennsylvania, and we will certainly look to add more of them in the future.”

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