NFL's second-oldest team admits defeat as $5bn relocation from 102-year-old stadium confirmed in statement
talkSPORT • • sports
Key Points:
- The Chicago Bears have officially stated they have exhausted all opportunities to remain in Chicago, with no viable stadium sites available in the city, leaving Arlington Heights and Hammond as the only options under consideration.
- Soldier Field, the Bears' home since 1971, is outdated and cannot meet modern NFL demands, prompting the team to purchase the Arlington Park racetrack in 2023 to build a $4.7 billion domed stadium.
- Negotiations for the Arlington Heights site have stalled, leading to renewed interest in relocating the team to the Wolf Lake site in Hammond, Indiana, where lawmakers have approved a financing plan.
- The NFL commissioner confirmed the Bears are evaluating two viable stadium sites—one in Illinois and one in Indiana—with Illinois lawmakers facing a May 31 deadline to finalize a deal or risk losing the team.
- This potential move marks the end of an era for the Bears in Chicago, as the franchise contemplates relocation after over a century in the city.