Why Power Brokers Inside The NFL Are Trying To Keep Chicago Bears Out Of Indiana
The Chicago Bears remain in a holding pattern on their stadium situation going into their fourth year. For the first time, it feels like there is actual movement, but the question is in which direction. The state of Indiana has made its interest in the Bears crystal clear for several months. They’ve already passed the necessary legislation to help fund any infrastructure costs the team needs in the event they choose to move to the northwest region of the state. There are also plenty of property tax incentives. All the Bears have to do is say yes.
However, the state of Illinois has finally moved after years of dragging its feet, putting the megaprojects bill on the House floor that would finally give the franchise property tax certainty they seek. No vote has taken place yet, but the feeling is that it will happen soon. Lots of fans and media believe the team will ultimately choose Indiana because of the generous offer it’s making. However, if the power brokers in the NFL have their way, they would prefer the Bears to stay in Illinois. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune had the update.
Here’s what I can tell you: The league believes that progress is very much headed in the right direction in Illinois and that Arlington Heights will emerge as the team’s future home. It’s not done yet, but there’s reason for optimism and the preference at that level is for the Bears to remain in Illinois if possible.
The reasons for the Chicago Bears avoiding Indiana are easy to pinpoint.
For one, the team has been an Illinois institution for over a century. The Bears were founded in 1920 by George Halas. Their fight song calls them the “pride and joy of Illinois.” Upending all of that over a stadium dispute goes against the NFL’s typical love for its rich history and traditions. It would make their team, namely, disingenuous. Watching the Chicago Bears play in Indiana dilutes the experience. Arlington Heights is at least a suburb of Chicago. That is not a claim Hammond, Indiana, can make.
Then you have the issue of scenery. The area most expect the Bears to land were they to move is overrun with oil refineries and old manufacturing districts. It is less than idyllic. Not only would it be an eyesore, but also raise questions about air quality and other environmental factors. None of those issues surrounds Arlington Heights. While not as picturesque as the Chicago lakefront, it’s at least cleaner. They have several public parks with a much-loved downtown area. Tourists would find it much more appealing.
There is also a territorial factor in play with the Bears.
When the Giants and Jets left New York for New Jersey, they weren’t encroaching on the established territory of another team. That won’t be the case with the Bears. The Indianapolis Colts have held a firm grip on the entire state of Indiana since their arrival in 1984. The Bears’ moving to northwest Indiana would be a direct incursion on their turf and threaten to eat into their fanbase. That idea isn’t likely to sit well with the Colts’ ownership. Northwest Indiana is one of the most populous regions in the state. Handing that over to the Bears could eat into their profit margins.
All of this sounds like a headache the NFL wants to avoid. They already dealt with a nightmare when the Rams and Chargers decided to both move to Los Angeles. Neither of those teams had near the prestige that the Bears do. At least the Dallas Cowboys had the decency to stay in Texas when they moved to Fort Worth. Imagine if they’d crossed the border into southern Oklahoma. It would’ve been considered a joke. Keeping the Bears in Illinois is the best thing for everybody involved.
The fans stay happy. The McCaskeys get their new stadium and can still claim the Chicago name. No other teams will be angered. Everybody wins.