Chicago Bears franchise owners are still talking to Illinois politicians.
When it comes to sports owners and politicians playing the stadium game, the noted American philosopher Lawrence Peter Berra’s words come to mind. “It ain’t over til it’s over.” That is exactly how the Chicago Bears stadium game is playing out. The Bears’ franchise ownership group has a deal and is allegedly focusing on building a football stadium-village in Indiana. But the ownership group and National Football League Commissioner, Roger Goodell, the Bears ownership group’s lobbyist, have not given up on Illinois. The Bears’ business minority owner Pat Ryan along with Goodell met with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other Illinois lawmakers in Chicago and they probably were not talking about getting the Willis Tower’s name restored to the Sears Tower.
The two sides put out statements. The Governor’s statement was yeah we met and maybe we can do something to build a stadium-village in Arlington Heights. “The Governor’s Office has remained in conversation with the Bears about their plans in Illinois throughout the summer. Governor Pritzker was grateful to meet in Illinois with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Pat Ryan, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Representative Kam Buckner, and Senator Bill Cunningham. The Governor and General Assembly leadership were glad to participate in a productive meeting focused on keeping the Bears in Illinois and protecting taxpayers.” The NFL media release stated the league “appreciated the opportunity to meet with Governor Pritzker and legislative leaders. Timely action is essential as the Bears work to find a long-term stadium solution for the club and their fans.” Bears ownership is looking at two possible stadium-village sites in Indiana. Indiana Governor Mike Braun has signed a bill creating an Indiana stadium finance authority which could authorize taxes on football tickets, hotel rooms, restaurants and tolls to raise money needed to help build the public-owned stadium. The Bears’ stadium game continues.
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