The Chicago Bears have appeared to be in limbo for years on their new stadium. Fans grow restless, especially after watching other organizations like Buffalo and Washington make significant progress towards new homes of their own. However, anybody who has paid attention knows something was approaching. It was apparent in the team’s actions, particularly regarding a resolution on property taxes with Arlington Heights. While team president Kevin Warren has insisted the goal remains to stay in Chicago, his efforts suggest otherwise.
Now it appears another domino is falling. Justin Laurence of Chicago Business delivered a telling update on what is happening. According to new information, Warren sent a letter to the Chicago Park District criticizing them for not utilizing better resources to maintain Soldier Field. It is the same concern that his predecessor, Ted Phillips, raised with the CPD over the past several years. However, many believe this latest complaint has a different objective in mind.
Many believe the Bears are setting the stage to break their lease.
“Even as they pursue a new stadium, the Chicago Bears are expressing frustration over the Chicago Park District’s spending to maintain and improve Soldier Field.
Bears President Kevin Warren sent a letter to new Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa detailing the team’s concern over the condition of Soldier Field and requesting documents to provide an overview of maintenance and capital spending. Also requested in the letter: monthly meetings to address the team’s concerns. The Bears and park district have a long and contentious history over Soldier Field’s upkeep and operations, with the team’s frustrations occasionally boiling to the surface. Unlike the other NFL teams, the Bears are denied potentially lucrative revenue opportunities, like stadium naming rights, because they don’t own their own stadium.
But the letter comes as the team continues to move the ball down the field on a new stadium in Arlington Heights — and the exchange could mark the first step of the team laying the legal groundwork to break its lease, set to expire in 2033, with the park district. Warren sent the letter, dated April 16 and addressed to Ramirez-Rosa, claiming the team has not had a seat at the table in deciding how capital dollars are spent improving the nearly century-old stadium.
The Chicago Bears are on track for an announcement sooner rather than later.
That is, if one presumes Arlington Heights is the endgame. They’ve cleared every other major hurdle. The property is theirs. Taxes are squared away. Local government officials and other bodies are on board. From this perspective, the only thing left is breaking the Soldier Field lease. Such things are complicated and would require a detailed legal approach. It isn’t impossible. There has been evidence for years that the Park District doesn’t do the greatest job with stadium upkeep. If the Chicago Bears present enough evidence, the courts should give them the exit they seek. Warren stated his goal was to get shovels in the ground by the end of 2025. Things are right on track given the recent timeline of events.
