Chicago Bears brass address stadium rumors: 'Our focus is on Indiana'
FULL REMARKS: Bears leaders address stadium search, possible Indiana move
Could the Bears ultimately move to Indiana? Kevin Warren and George McCaskey addressed the team's ongoing stadium search.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears provided an update on their ongoing stadium search Thursday morning.
President and CEO Kevin Warren and Chairman George McCaskey addressed the media around 12:15 p.m. from Halas Hall in their customary news conference ahead of the Bears' first preseason game Saturday against the Cleveland Browns (which will be streamed live on Fox Chicago.)
The Chicago Bears have been exploring options for a new stadium, including potential moves from Soldier Field to sites in northwest Indiana or a new facility in Arlington Heights. The team has pushed for legislation and financial incentives that could make a suburban stadium project more feasible, while Illinois and Indiana officials have debated the costs and benefits.
Bears training camp began on July 25 and the first official team practice took place on July 29.
McCaskey: Bears would remain 'Chicago Bears' if they move to Indiana
One thing won't change. Bears Chairman George McCaskey says the team will remain the Chicago Bears even if it ultimately builds a new stadium in Indiana.
Among emerging storylines from camp have been the emergence of Bears' rookies, injuries to key players and a massive contract extension.
RELATED: See every Bears stadium proposal so far
On why the Bears are focused on Hammond
Warren said the Bears have been working to advance their Hammond stadium project, including studies, land acquisition and financing. He emphasized that the team is approaching the project as more than just a stadium.
"Not only are we building a world-class stadium, but we're building a world-class mixed-use development, and we want to make sure that we get this right," Warren said.
On what the Chicago Bears would be called if they moved out of the city
McCaskey said the Bears will retain their namesake regardless of where the team relocates: "We'll be the Chicago Bears."
On the timeline for a final decision
While Warren did not provide a specific groundbreaking date, he said the Bears are getting closer to a decision as they complete their due diligence and work out the financing.
"The biggest thing for our fans, we have to get this right. I mean, this is a 40- to 50-year decision, and we have to pull all these things together," he said.
On fans who don't want the Bears to leave Illinois
Warren acknowledged that some fans are frustrated by the possibility of the team moving to Indiana but argued that a new stadium would provide a better experience and allow Chicago to host major events.
"They deserve a much better game day experience than we have now. They deserve the opportunity for us to be able to bring world-class events here from the Super Bowl that we'd have a chance to bid for, to World Cup, to concerts, to college football, playoff games, to other professional sports," Warren said.
Chicago Bears stadium timeline
2021
The Bears officially put a purchase agreement on the 326-acre plot of land in Arlington Heights.
A move to the village was proposed as far back as 1975, but this was a massive step taken by the franchise to actually move to the Cook County suburb from their lakefront stadium in Soldier Field, which has been the team's home for home games since 1971.
2022
The Bears host an information meeting discussing the potential purchase and possible development of Arlington Park in September.
2023
January
On January 12, 2023, Warren was named the new team president and chief executive officer of the Chicago Bears. He succeeds Ted Phillips.
Warren is hired because of his acumen leading the charge in building a state-of-the-art stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.
May
Demolition of the Arlington Park Race Course begins.
February
The Bears purchase of the 326 acres of land is finalized on February 15, 2023, for $197.2 million. The original concept is for a $5 billion domed stadium to be built on the land.
2024
March
Arlington Heights offers the Bears a tax reduction in an attempt to secure the team to build its new stadium in the village.
April
The day before the 2024 NFL Draft, where the Bears would select Caleb Williams No. 1 overall, the Bears and the city of Chicago hold a joint press conference announcing their plans to build a domed stadium and to invest more than $2 billion in private money in a publicly owned stadium and park space.
The plan is valued at $4.7 billion.
May
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls the plans for a domed stadium on the lakefront a "non-starter."
"The current proposal is a non-starter for the state," Pritzker’s press secretary said. "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."
June
Kevin Warren says the Bears want to break ground on a new stadium by the end of 2025.
November
The Bears and Arlington Heights reach a tentative agreement over the property tax dispute that kept the Bears from negotiating further with Arlington Heights.
In a statement, the Bears say they remain focused to on building an enclosed stadium on the lakefront.
2025
March
The Bears submit traffic and financial studies for the Arlington Heights stadium site.
September
The Bears, hours before their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, announce they’re moving forward with Arlington Heights as their "future home."
December
The Bears release a statement, one day before the Bears host the Green Bay Packers in a de-facto NFC North championship game, saying they’re also exploring Northwest Indiana as a potential stadium site.
2026
February
Indiana passed Senate Bill 27. This creates a Northwest Indiana stadium authority which has the power to acquire and finance the construction of stadium facilities. This officially names Hammond as the site of any stadium.
Indiana offers the Bears about $1 billion in tax revenue, which could go toward stadium district infrastructure, to try and convince the Bears to move to Hammond.
March
At the NFL Owners Meetings in Arizona, Kevin Warren set a timeline of "late spring, early summer" for the Bears to make their final decision on where to build a new stadium.
May
After Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the Bears had conversations with Chicago about "term sheets" for a new lakefront stadium.
On May 21, the Bears release a statement saying the team has "exhausted every opportunity" to have a stadium in Chicago.
"The Chicago Bears have exhausted every opportunity to stay in Chicago which was our initial goal," the Bears say. "There is not a viable site in the city. As a result, the only sites under consideration are in Arlington Heights and Hammond."
June
The Bears say they're advancing their stadium development projects in Hammond, Indiana, moving forward with a plan to build a new stadium out of state. The exact site is to be determined.
In late June, the the Bears confirmed crews conducted soil testing at Wolf Lake Terminals, located southwest of Lost Marsh Golf Course and west of I-90.
In a statement, the Bears said:
"This activity is part of the normal site evaluation process as we continue to advance our stadium development project in Hammond. We have an excellent option already in place and continue to assess additional parcels of land in the Wolf Lake region to ensure we place the stadium and mixed-use district in the very best location to serve all of Chicagoland."
The Source: The information in this article came from the Chicago Bears, along with Indiana and Illinois officials and extensive Fox Chicago reporting.