Bears set to leave Chicago? Leave Soldier Field??

I read that soldier is one of the smallest seating capacity stadiums and its location isnt really the greatest for offering up other revenue sources for the team in terms of development and such.  Just like I thought that US Bank should have been out of downtown,  I think the Bears ownership would benefit from a relocation.

I don’t think it will happen. 
I live in NW Indiana and they once threatened to move to Gary, IN of all places. Then a new lease was signed and 15 years later the New Soldier Field was reconstructed.

it’s a shitty stadium, 

@"Riphawkins" said: I don’t think it will happen. 

I live in NW Indiana and they once threatened to move to Gary, IN of all places. Then a new lease was signed and 15 years later the New Soldier Field was reconstructed.

it’s a shitty stadium, 

its a different time now,  I dont know that they would ever tear down soldier,  but imagine what that real estate would be worth if they did?  that property they bought looks damn inviting,  already has rail at it,  good capacity roads in place near by,  lots of surace parking that some of that could get turned into garages... and the mayor of Chicago doesnt sound all that interested in investing in a new home for the team....

https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2021/9/29/22700376/bears-leave-soldier-field-move-arlington-heights-racecourse-property-new-stadium-lease-lightfoot

Yeah they didn't make that purchase for nothing. It's a different world. I can totally see this happening. They could change the makeup of their fan base by doing this. They are looking to level up and be more bougie.

Well the Bears dont really have an owner so it's tough to say what they will do. They are owned by like a 97 year old lady and her trust so they are pretty dysfunctional. Nothing would surprise me with that team right now.

They look around and see all the new revenue producing streams progressive nfl teams are making...

They didnt buy this property not to put a stadium on it, no way. 

We never seem to win at Soldier so yes, please move!

Not sure how a hip hop Super Bowl halftime show dovetails w/ moving to the suburbs, but go Bears…!  ;) B)  

I was just in the area and went by the stadium, they did such an awful job renovating it, one of the worst stadiums, they really need to get out there.  

@"purplefaithful" said: They look around and see all the new revenue producing streams progressive nfl teams are making...

They didnt buy this property not to put a stadium on it, no way. 

Agreed. Planning ahead. That real estate where the stadium currently sits is more valuable than any other current teams stadium real estate. I'm sure they plan to sell and move to Arlington Heights....and they'll have the luxury of staying at their current location until a new stadium is built. 

p.s. Its 10:00 am in Florence, Italy!  =)

@"JR44" said: I was just in the area and went by the stadium, they did such an awful job renovating it, one of the worst stadiums, they really need to get out there.  

Agreed....They really F'd up the exterior aesthetic when they re-vamped a grand olde stadium. Use to be known for grand columns and a real olde school vibe.

Now its just a hodgepodge of design old and new

@"StickyBun" said:

@"purplefaithful" said: They look around and see all the new revenue producing streams progressive nfl teams are making...

They didnt buy this property not to put a stadium on it, no way. 

Agreed. Planning ahead. That real estate where the stadium currently sits is more valuable than any other current teams stadium real estate. I'm sure they plan to sell and move to Arlington Heights....and they'll have the luxury of staying at their current location until a new stadium is built. 

p.s. Its 10:00 am in Florence, Italy!  =)

I’m pretty versed on the situation.  I’ve been to Soldier on numerous occasions, and it’s a shit stadium.  It is leased from the Chicago Park District.  Public transportation to get to the stadium is god awful and most fans have to walk over a mile to get to the stadium.  Then, they also have a total idiot for a mayor who laughs in their face at the idea of leaving.  Except for, now when they take a critical first step, she’s fighting a losing public relations battle saying the Bears haven’t approached her with any requests.  She was playing a losing game of chicken.

The Arlington Heights site has been rumored for years.  I am against this as it is likely coming at the expense of one of the most beautiful horse racing venues in the world.   The area that they have purchased is huge and contains much more land than they’d ever require for the stadium, even with Parking included.  Along with development opportunities, there may even still be room for a racetrack, though that’s unlikely.  There is also a train from the city and burbs that goes directly to the site.   It is definitely not a “for show” move.  The city of Chicago will be paying a large ransom if they’re to retain the Bears at this point. I don’t see Arlington Heights shelling out a lot of money for the Bears as the taxes are already crazy, but the site has amazing potential for development.

Vikings Lake Residences Under Construction

Wilfs have taken 200 acres of crap Delta land and transformed it to a growing Vikings Village...

Believe me, Bears and others have seen and coveted. 

Exactly PF. It's a business and ownership is looking to make the most money possible.

PF I am not sure how you could call that Delta land crap. There was some water on it but not too terrible. That area has been developing for a while now. Parents were working out there since the 70’s and the transformation of the area has been pretty stark. 

Vikings got themselves a sweet situation capitalizing on an up and coming area which their development will only push to drive things higher. 

Our stadium itself was a gift to the vikings. Sure they don’t have a ton of land down there but they got a pretty good deal and the city did too in that they continue to reap ROI on the i frastructure that has been built around the stadium. People need to keep in mind that our stadium situation was ALWAYS wilfs first choice. Ramsey county was never a real option.