https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/1/...-soldier-field
Quote:
“I think it needs to happen by the end of this session. If not, you’re going to start to have other states make their cases on why the Chicago Bears should be the St. Louis Bears,” said Todd Maisch, president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “That’s just the reality of the world. And people may not like it, but everybody wants the Chicago Bears to remain the Chicago Bears. It can get a little messy. But I think we’re going to reach a positive balance.”
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And so the threats have begun. This playbook has been used by teams time and time again to trick state/municipal governments. It would absolutely suck to see the Chicago Bears leave Chicagoland, but I will be very, very pissed if the state becomes another stadium grift victim. We all know better by now.
Chicago wouldn't be without a team for long, I imagine. Too big a market for the NFL to just punt that revenue. I think it's been mentioned in this thread before, but the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars has strong midwest/IL ties. His daughter is actually part of a group developing a couple of high-rises in Fulton Market. He's shown a willingness to swing big for his franchise.