• Loading stock data...
Friday, March 29, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now

Chicago Bears’ New Stadium Site Could Be Rejected

  • The Bears are expected to close on its $197.2 million land purchase by the end of the is year or early next year.
  • Concerns about traffic, parking, and taxpayer money could affect the project.
Chicago-Bears
Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears agreed to purchase a 326-acre property in suburban Arlington Heights last year — but the village’s mayor doesn’t seem fully confident that the team will actually move there.

The team is expected to close on the $197.2 million land purchase — the site of the former Arlington Park race track — by the end of this year or early next year, but mayor Tom Hayes said at a village board meeting that it’s “certainly possible” that the board could reject the Bears’ $5 billion development plans.

Concerns about traffic, parking, and taxpayer money could affect the predevelopment agreement presented by the Bears.

  • Hayes clarified that the plans are early and don’t include much detail, so more concerns and questions will be “answered down the road.” 
  • He also indicated that the pending predevelopment agreement is in place to assist the team in closing its purchase.

“This predevelopment agreement does not provide a former approval of the preliminary concept,” village manager Randy Recklaus said. “It may not even be the concept that is formally proposed by the Chicago Bears when we’re all said and done.” 

The board will hold a final vote on Nov. 7.

Build A Bears Stadium

Last month, the Bears released renderings of their proposed home away from Soldier Field and an adjacent multipurpose entertainment district.

The project would “result in $9.4 billion in economic impact for Chicagoland and provide $3.9 billion in labor income to workers across the region.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Spring Football’s Big Bet: An Unlikely TV Marriage, and Crazy Rules

The United Football League launches this weekend on ESPN and Fox.

‘Good Morning Football’ Beginning Mysterious Timeout Before L.A. Move

Friday is the final broadcast of ‘Good Morning Football’ from New York.

Jets Owner Blasts ‘False’ Reporting From League-Owned Outlet

League owners and NFL Media rarely criticize each other.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Why the Timberwolves Sale was Called Off

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
Kansas City Chiefs president Mark Donovan

Chiefs’ President: Team Keeping ‘All Options’ Open If Stadium Vote Fails

The Chiefs’ president said he’s ‘cautiously optimistic’ that a public vote would pass.
March 26, 2024

Chiefs and Browns Could Break Tradition, Leave Longtime Homes

The two-time defending Super Bowl champions lay down a renewed threat.
March 27, 2024

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.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
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 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.