While the city of Chicago hoped to be the Bears’ end game in their stadium pursuit, it’s become increasingly clear keeping the team in the city is an uphill battle.
With no firm deadline for the stadium project, pressure is mounting from the top to get a deal done.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday night it’s important for everyone to find a solution to the team’s search for a new or revamped home – soon.
“As far as advancements in tech or quality in stadium for quality of fan experience, it’s not at the top of the list there,” Goodell said.
Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren insists there’s no hunger for a lakefront stadium rehab in Chicago.
“We strongly believe the only site in the state of Illinois, Cook County, is Arlington Heights,” he said. “Because when you see that property, having 326 acres with a train station there, the things that we would be able to do, there are some great sites. We talked a couple years ago about doing something at the Museum Campus. There was not an appetite at that point in time there.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson said his focus remains keeping the Bears in the city.
“They want a partnership in Springfield and that cant be confined and limited to a space outside Chicago,” Johnson said. “It’s still the best location. It’s why there was an entire proposal that was centered around city. Clearly they had an ‘appetite.'”
Talks ultimately broken down when the state of Illinois did not commit $850 million to that project.
It’s that “he-said, she-said” that Indiana’s governor is counting on for his state to get the Bears, explaining the Bears came to him after two-and-half year conversation with Chicago and Illinois government was fruitless.
“All we tried to do make it easy, dealing with a business partner like Indiana versus one they couldn’t get to the table,” Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said.
Soldier Field is the Chicago Park District’s largest non-tax revenue source and venue, generating funds for parks and programming citywide.
The Chicago Park District said in a statement, in part, “Keeping the Bears in Chicago is a top priority for the City and the Chicago Park District,” adding it “is focused on ensuring that policymakers understand the critical importance of a lakefront stadium to Chicago’s tourism economy and to the Park District’s finances.”
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