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George McCaskey Says Bears Fans Would Get Used to an Indiana Stadium

It would be just like it was for Giants fans and Jets fans, said the Bears' owner regarding a possible move to Hammond, Ind.
Gene Chamberlain|
Bears owner George McCaskey says the fans would get used to the idea of the team playing out of state, just like Giants and Jets fans did.
Bears owner George McCaskey says the fans would get used to the idea of the team playing out of state, just like Giants and Jets fans did. | Chicago Bears On SI Photo: Chicago Bears video

It's probably better not to read too much into recent positive trends towards a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights based on what the team is saying about the issue at the NFL owners meetings.

Team president Kevin Warren and owner George McCaskey tried to walk a more fine line between Indiana and Arlington Heights while at the owners meetings, rather than lean either way.

"The target is to make sure we have a decision made by springtime, late springtime, early summer," Warren told reporters at the owners meetings. "Both of the sites are excellent, excellent sites."

The end of this legislative session on May 31 looms large for the state of Illinois to come up with legislation needed for Arlington Heights stadium tax certainty and infrastructure payment, or it's possible Indiana would be the team's new home.

Indiana has its plan more in order and nearly complete.

McCaskey doesn't see a mental obstacle for Bears fans in rooting for a team that plays out of state.

"I don't think in the end it's going to matter to people," the Bears owner told reporters at the owners meetings. "Back in 1976 the New York Football Giants went across the state line to New Jersey and they’ve been there ever since," McCaskey said at the owners meetings. "The Jets joined shortly thereafter and then 35 years later both teams had an opportunity to re-evaluate their situations and recommitted to New Jersey. And somehow the republic has survived.

“When the Bears moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field, it required an adjustment. When we went to Champaign it required an adjustment (2022, preseason 2023). And whether we go into Arlington Park or Hammond there is going to be an adjustment period. People are going to have to be allowd some time to get usd to it.I think Bears fans are up to it.”

Earlier in the week, Warren had been somewhat vague about a deadline and there seemed to be some momentum building toward a deal in Illinois.

"We don't have a set deadline, but I am confident that sometime this spring slash summer, we'll know," Warren said to Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk.

Meanwhile, even Chicago legislator Kam Buckner had been sounding more open to the Bears getting the Arlington Heights deal. It had been Buckner who was most vociferous in demanding some cash for the city from the Bears if they were to receive state legislative support for the Arlington Heights stadium.

"What the Bears said today is important," Buckner said, according to WLS-TV in Chicago after the Bears had been vague on a deadline. "They did not come in with an artificial deadline. They came in with seriousness."

Buckner said he had been in contact numerous times with Bears management/ownership.

"There's large agreement on most parts of this (legislation), which is, you know, makes me feel very optimistic about the path forward," Buckner said.

The word sounded by McCaskey and Warren in Arizona was definitely far less optimistic for a quick resolution than earlier this week.

Even commissioner Roger Goodell weighed in on Tuesday, although with a typical cautious, less impactful tone.

“They need to find a solution for a stadium,” Goodell said Tuesday during his owners meetings press conference, according to Pat Finley of the Sun-Times. “They have looked not only in Indiana but also in Illinois at other sites, and invested in a site. I think they have been responsible in that fact.

“I think it’s really important that they come to a resolution on this relatively soon. This is an important time to get this resolved sooner rather than later.”

The saga continues and the only thing known at this time is they want it done as soon as possile, preferably before the end of the spring Illinois legislative session.

Who knows, though? The way it changes each time someone talks, this might all be going on at this point on the calendar next year.

Someone should remind all involved that the Bear' lease at Soldier Field expires in 2033. At this rate, they might want to consider extending it while talks continue.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.

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