• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Bears Want $855M in Public Money for Suburban Stadium

Not long ago, the Bears wanted half of their new stadium and mixed-use development funded with public money. That’s since been cut, but the ask of taxpayers is still substantial.

Chicago Bears stadium rendering
Manica

The Bears officially have a new site for their planned stadium and intend to pay for much of the project themselves, but there could still be plenty of public money involved.

The NFL team has released a new economic impact statement for its proposed domed stadium and mixed-use development, just weeks after detailing its intent to abandon a downtown location and build instead on land it owns in suburban Arlington Heights, Ill. The reworked model again affirms the Bears’ plan to fund the stadium itself entirely, a building slated to cost $2 billion. 

The statement, however, also details a price tag of more than $5 billion for the entire development, slightly higher than the prior project of $4.7 billion, and calls for $855 million in public-sector investments in infrastructure. 

That latter figure represents the newest and most specific ask in the team’s long and winding journey to build a next-generation venue in the No. 3 U.S. media market. The sought-after contribution from taxpayer dollars—targeted primarily for improvements to nearby roads and rail lines—is a sizable change from the even split contemplated in the prior, downtown plan, one that ran into firm resistance from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

The new split, a 17% contribution of the total cost from public money, much more closely resembles the 29% funding from the District of Columbia in a recently approved stadium and mixed-use development for the Commanders.

As has increasingly been the case, time is of the essence for the Bears. The team says that construction costs continue to escalate by more than $10 million per month—not surprising given broader inflationary and tariff fears across the economy.

The Bears also want to see state legislation passed that would freeze property-tax assessments on any large-scale project in the state and allow them to negotiate payments with local taxing authorities. That issue has been at the heart of a situation with Arlington Heights that Bears executives say is progressing but not resolved. 

“We are urging state leaders to pass the Mega Project legislation, which creates a fair, predictable framework for property taxes that applies to any large-scale investment in Illinois,” the Bears said. “With this certainty, we can move forward ensuring this once-in-a-generation project becomes a reality.”

The team also released a new set of stadium renderings that have a close similarity to the downtown proposal. The updated design, however, takes advantage of the greater space that the 326-acre property at the former Arlington International Racecourse allows.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Wants to Expand International Slate, Will Evaluate Saudi Arabia

The league is evaluating a mix of new and existing markets for 2026.
Netflix

Netflix Staying on the Sidelines As TNT Sports Parent Seeks Buyer

The streaming giant shows little interest in acquisition possibilities.

The AWS Outage Wreaked Havoc in Sports

Ticketmaster, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Strava all had problems.
Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees smiles prior to the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome.

Drew Brees Flag Football League Sells to PE Amid Youth Boom

Football ‘N’ America operates 24 flag football leagues across the country.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.

Jazz to Get New Training Facility on Same Campus As Mammoth

The company is developing a sports campus in Sandy, Utah.
October 15, 2025

Bears Hit Another Speed Bump for New $5B Stadium in Suburbs

A new state bill would impose several conditions on the NFL team.
October 16, 2025

Steelers’ Shared Stadium With Pitt Comes Under Fire for Bad Turf

The conditions at Acrisure Stadium have been subpar this season.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
October 13, 2025

Browns, Cleveland Reach $100M Deal to Clear Team’s Move to Suburbs

The surprise truce includes financial payments and the dismissal of lawsuits.
Nov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of a Cleveland Browns helmet on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome.
October 7, 2025

Cleveland Takes New Shot at Blocking Browns’ $2.4B Stadium

A new lawsuit challenges a permit for the NFL team’s planned stadium.
October 7, 2025

Rays Owner Eyes New ‘Forever Home’ Like Atlanta’s Battery

The club’s new owners target a new ballpark opening in 2029.
Sep 23, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars forward Adam Erne (76) looks on during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center
exclusive
October 3, 2025

Dallas Stars Eyeing Possible Move to Plano in 2031

The team needs to figure out where they’ll play starting in 2031.