• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Bears’ $4.7 Billion Stadium Pitch Caught in a Game of Political Football

  • The office of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker brands the team’s stadium proposal as a ‘nonstarter.’
  • Local resistance is high to giving taxpayer support to a privately owned sports team.
Chicago Bears

On the surface, what the Bears are proposing for their new $4.7 billion lakefront stadium is hardly radical by current NFL standards. The team’s pitch for a new stadium adjacent to Soldier Field, with about $2.3 billion in private money, easily beats the team-level contributions for forthcoming facilities in Buffalo and Tennessee, both in actual amount and percentage of overall development cost, and could also overtake what is being discussed in Kansas City and Cleveland

And despite the ongoing debate about the best use and preservation of Chicago’s downtown museum campus, no private landowner would be displaced in this project. The office of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, however, has already branded the Bears’ effort, as currently constructed, as a “nonstarter.”

Such is the highly delicate nature of the city- and state-level politics surrounding the team’s stadium pitch. Even with the massive popularity of the NFL nationally and the Bears locally, and the particulars that the team has offered to date, the Bears’ proposal is running hard into broader realities and a general resistance to even a perception of enriching a wealthy team owner with taxpayer funds. 

“As the governor has said, the current proposal is a nonstarter for the state,” said Alex Gough, a spokesman for Pritzker. “In order to subsidize a brand-new stadium for a privately owned sports team, the governor would need to see a demonstrable and tangible benefit to the taxpayers of Illinois.”

Conversations between the team and Pritzker’s office are still ongoing, and the Bears said they “share a commitment to protecting the taxpayers of Illinois and look forward to future discussions.”

State-level support is likely critical for the stadium, as the team in particular has not identified a funding source for three phases of infrastructure development that are projected to total $1.5 billion, only saying last week, “There are dollars that we believe exist at the state level, maybe the federal level, and potentially the city level.”

Back in the City

Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson, whose full support of the lakefront proposal has already rankled critics, continues to face further criticism for his position. Recent local columns and editorials have opined that Johnson “is playing fantasy football with our money,” and that “the Bears are looking out for the Bears.”

Should the downtown stadium development fizzle out, officials in suburban Arlington Heights said they remain ready to restart talks with the Bears. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.
Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Calais Campbell (middle) receives the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award from executive director Lloyd Howell (left) and president) JC Tretter (right) at the NFLPA Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center prior to Super Bowl LVIII.

What Comes Next After NFLPA Chief’s Sudden Resignation?

Howell quit on his own accord; he was not forced out.

New NFLPA Head Will Face Multibillion-Dollar Decisions

The next NFLPA leader will wrestle with a series of pressing issues.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Josh Donaldson

Josh Donaldson Seeks Another $70K in Landlord Dispute

Donaldson rented the house while playing for the Yankees in 2022.
Oct 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Wells Fargo Center before game between Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.
July 10, 2025

New Philly Arena Will Redefine Home-Court Advantage, CEO Says

The forthcoming venue will arrive with plenty of ambition among its owners.
The 153rd Open
July 16, 2025

Trump Talks Continue, but Turnberry’s Open Return Is Uncertain

Trump Turnberry is still under consideration for future Open Championships.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
April 19, 2022; Austin, TX, USA; Tim Leiweke of the Oak View Group speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Moody Center, a multi-purpose arena that will be home to concerts and the UT basketball teams on Tuesday April 19, 2022.
July 9, 2025

Oak View Founder Tim Leiweke Indicted for Alleged Rigged Arena Bid

The longtime sports executive leaves his day-to-day leadership role.
July 9, 2025

Browns $600M Stadium Deal Hit With Suit Over ‘Unclaimed’ Money

Ohio’s use of unclaimed funds for a new stadium is challenged legally.
July 8, 2025

Chiefs Delay Stadium Decision As Kansas Dangles Dome Dreams

Kansas legislators extend bonds for potential Chiefs and Royals facilities.
Jul 3, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) returns a shot during his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) on day seven at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 7, 2025

Wimbledon’s Expansion Battle Looms Over Star-Studded Quarterfinals

The expansion’s loudest opposition is Save Wimbledon Park.