• Loading stock data...
Thursday, March 28, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now

Betting Fuels Bears’ Desire for New Stadium

  • The Chicago Bears could be looking for a new home.
  • Sports betting may be at the heart of the potential change.
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The Chicago Bears could be looking to leave Soldier Field, and sports betting may be at the heart of the move. 

The Bears, who have called Soldier Field home since 1971, submitted a bid in June to purchase Arlington International Racecourse as a potential site for a new stadium. The 326-acre facility is roughly 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. 

Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot says she wants to keep the Bears in the city and is willing to work with the team to improve Soldier Field’s viability as a year-round venue.

The benefits of the Arlington site include expanding stadium capacity, an option to have an enclosed stadium, and a sports betting lounge. 

Bears president Ted Phillips stated that the Chicago Park District has refused “to engage in good faith discussions” about integrating sports betting opportunities at Soldier Field.

Multi-billion dollar, state-of-the-art complexes are becoming more prevalent in the NFL. 

  • The $1.15 billion AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, is the largest covered stadium in the world. 
  • The Los Angeles Rams and Chargers have called the $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium home since 2020. 
  • The Pegulas, owners of the Buffalo Bills, proposed $1.4 billion in total funding for a new stadium, according to Associated Press.

The Bears’ current lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The NFLPA Report Card Is Doing Exactly What It Was Intended For

Robert Kraft hasn’t gone to school in nearly 60 years, but on Tuesday the Patriots’ owner found himself talking about his report card. 

How Lack of Planning by NCAA, Gonzaga Led to Racial Abuse of Utah Athletes

The NCAA gave Gonzaga a waiver to place teams in an extremist hotbed.

NCAA President Calls for Nationwide Ban on College Prop Bets

The NCAA president is reacting to the recent betting turmoil in sports.

It Remains Unclear Which Authorities Shohei Ohtani Has Reported Theft of Millions to, If Any

A federal investigation is ongoing, but it’s not clear what it covers.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

MLB Opens Season With MLBPA, Ohtani, and Ownership Dramas

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

March 22, 2024, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) and Northwestern Wildcats guard Boo Buie (0) react in overtime against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Barclays Center.
March 27, 2024

‘An Expensive Game’: March Madness and NIL Collectives Are Intertwined

At schools nationwide, collectives are fueling NCAA tournament runs and vice versa.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) waits to be announced in the starting lineup against West Virginia in a NCAA Tournament round of 32 game Monday, March 25, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
March 26, 2024

The Women’s Trading Card Market Is Overlooked. Can Caitlin Clark Change That?

Traditionally, women’s sports cards have been a marginal part of collectibles.
The Sports Illustrated cover signed by Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, February 27, 2019, at Don & Charlie's, 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. Don Charlie S
March 24, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Ongoing ‘Sports Illustrated’ Saga

Understanding the strange state of affairs for the nearly 70-year-old publication.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Adidas
Multiple - USA Careers
Spotify
Multiple - USA Careers

Leonsis Makes Stunning Turn Back to D.C., Will Renovate Capital One Arena

D.C. to spend $515 million on venue renovations as the Virginia plan is now dead.
March 22, 2024

D.C. Attorney General: Caps and Wizards Can’t Leave Until 2047

Bond debt in a 2007 contract is the main reason the move can’t happen.
March 26, 2024

Chiefs and Browns Could Break Tradition, Leave Longtime Homes

The two-time defending Super Bowl champions lay down a renewed threat.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
March 21, 2024

Building Up? Philadelphia’s Arena Developments Gain Steam, Tension

Comcast Spectacor brings in the Phillies as a development partner in the existing sports complex.
March 21, 2024

Phillies Join in $2.5 Billion Redevelopment Plan for Philadelphia Sports Complex

The club is now involved in the remaking of the stadium area.
March 20, 2024

Are the Olympics Getting Too Big? Pushback in Brisbane Sparks Debate

Australian officials move forward with stadium renovations instead of building a new facility.
March 20, 2024

Ted Leonsis’s Quest for Public Money Leads to Maryland, per Report

The future home of the Wizards and Capitals remains unclear.