© Quinn Harris/Imagn
The state of Indiana has a sordid past when it comes to stealing and NFL teams, and it might just be up to its old tricks yet again.
In 1984, then Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay agreed to a deal to relocate the team from its original home to Indianapolis in one of the most infamous moves in league history. It wasn’t 1996 when Baltimore got a team back, essentially pulling a similar move with Cleveland Browns and owner Art Modell.
Well, now history could be on the verge of repeating itself, albeit with a twist.
Chicago Bears Threaten To Move To Gary, Indiana For New Stadium
Soldier Field in Chicago is the oldest current stadium in the NFL. It opened in 1924 and has been home to the Chicago Bears since 1971. The Bears previously played at Wrigley Field from 1921-1970, while the Chicago Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals) played there for four games in 1959.
The stadium has been renovated several times. But now the Bears are looking for something more.
Team owner George McCaskey explored moving the team from Soldier Field, which sits right in the heart of the city, to a new stadium in Arlington Heights, about 25 miles north. Former mayor Lori Lightfoot attempted to persuade the team to stay, although her proposal never seemed realistic.
Now, after the Illinois state legislature revealed that a new stadium would not be a priority for its 2026 spending, McCaskey and team CEO Kevin Warren are threatening to leave the state altogether.
“Consequently, in addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana,” the letter reads. “This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights.”
Warren’s letter explicitly states that it is not about leverage. But it sure seems like it’s about leverage.
The Bears have played in Chicago since 1920. Only the Green Bay Packers have been in one city longer. If the idea of leaving the city for Arlington Heights seemed wrong, leaving Chicago for Gary, Indiana, sounds downright sacrilegious.
Sure, the team would still carry the Chicago Bears brand name. But Gary is more than 30 minutes away and, more importantly, it is NOT IN ILLINOIS.
Yes, the Jets and Giants play in New Jersey. And yes, the San Francisco 49ers actually play in Santa Clara, and the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington.
But if the Bears aren’t in Chicago, is anything sacred in the NFL anymore?
Perhaps it’s time for new ownership to step in. Because the Chicago Bears are meant to be in Chicago, and the idea of leaving, let alone for another state, is just wrong.