Bears Stadium: Public Ownership Option in Illinois

Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bears minority owner Pat Ryan, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and state legislative leaders recently met to discuss a public ownership model for a new Bears stadium in Arlington Heights. The Bears' president and CEO Kevin Warren and primary owner George McCaskey notably absent from the meeting.

Public ownership would resolve the property-tax issue that has stalled the team's ability to convert their Arlington Park site into a new stadium. The Bears originally intended to privately finance the stadium, but that strategy hasn't gained sufficient traction, prompting Illinois officials to explore keeping the team in-state. playerbros.org