Could The Chicago Bears Be Moving To A Different City?

The Chicago Bears are reportedly interested in a giant move, which would completely shake up the landscape of sports in the city of Chicago.

According to Crain’s Chicago, the Bears have interest in moving to Arlington Heights, a suburb of Chicago about an hour from their current spot in the city. The famous Arlington Raceway, a horse racing spot for many years, has its lease ending, and will likely be sold and demolished. The Chicago Bears’ ownership may swoop in.

“We have a good working relationship with the Bears ," said Mayor Lori Lightfoot, "(but) there are things they’d like to see differently at Soldier Field, and we want to do whatever we can to accommodate it." https://t.co/gUfkoxmdQg

— Crain's Chicago Business (@CrainsChicago) May 2, 2021

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Moving to the Arlington site would allow the Bears to implement more skyboxes, add more seats, and put in a roof so they can make money on other events when it gets cold over the Winter. Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot admitted that the Bears have some concerns about their current stadium, Soldier Field.

“We have a good working relationship with the Bears . . . (but) there are things they’d like to see differently at Soldier Field, and we want to do whatever we can to accommodate it,” Lightfoot said.

“It’s a great, iconic site. But it’s a challenging site, and I think it’s incumbent on us as a city to step forward and look at ways in which we can make sure that the Bears fans, but also the Bears as an organization, have the best opportunities to maximize the fan experience and of course maximize revenues,” she said. “We’re going to keep those conversations going.”

Chicago Bears senior vice president for marketing Scott Hagel left the door open to an Arlington move when pressed by reporters.

“I wouldn’t be able to tell you,” said Hagel. “Our focus continues to be on Soldier Field. . . .I can’t say more.”

It doesn’t exactly sound like the Bears are sold on staying in the city of Chicago for the long-term. And they might just see a business opportunity with the vacant Arlington track.

What a bummer it would be for Chicago sports fans if the Bears (the city’s most popular team by far) up and move away from the city.

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