Agree.
Chicago Bears 2024-2025
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I think the ultimate end game here is the family is waiting for Virginia to pass and then they can sell the team for big bucks and the new billionaire owner can develop the AH site
all these delays in construction and lack of plans made aviailable are by choice .its not out for bid
Just patently untrue.
Sorry to use the Foxborough analogy again, but I think it's pretty apt. In addition to Taylor Swift, here are some of the acts and other events that came to this town of 18k people, 30 miles from the closest major city, to use Gillette stadium in 2024:
Rolling Stones
Zach Bryan
Metallica
P!nk
And here are upcoming events in 2025 and 2026:
AC/DC
Kendrick Lamar
Coldplay
Post Malone
NCAA Lacrosse Championships
FIFA World Cup
Navy v. Notre Dame (Football)
You seriously think these acts would be able to fill Gillette Stadium (approx capacity 65,000), but wouldn't be able to fill a stadium in Arlington Heights, which is at least as accessible to a far more populous metropolitan center, and is ringed by much more populous suburbs than Gillette (AH has a population of 77k, Palatine 67k, Schaumburg 75k, Rolling Meadows 24k).
2X2L
- Metaluna
Sorry, old man here. One thing I really hate is ballplayers watching their homers. I was taught to run like hell to first base after contact. Even Anthony Rizzo, whom I admire, watches.
I don't remember Banks, Santo, Williams doing it - ever.
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mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
I am not a young man but I do fervently hope that if I reach an age or moment where a leisure activity does nothing but make me angry and annoyed all the time, I will simply choose another activity!
The most well-known story about the OG MLB superstar, Babe Ruth, is that he once "called his shot." That has to be one of the most audacious, attention-seeking things ever done on a baseball field and it happened in 1932. Rickey Henderson was prolific at pimping home runs. And here's an epic pimp job with a bat flip exclamation point from 1987.
I think when the market studies are done, unless there is a dramatic change in the plans or some politician uses our money to subsize a stadium, the Bears will not be able to finance a stadium in Arlington Heights.
Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
Which brings us back full circle to the opening post about not watching pro sports anymore.
see post #624 and never underestimate what a determined billionaire is able to accomplish.
2X2L
- Metaluna
The Babe. Called his shot off Root BEFORE the homer. Don't think Babe was pointing at centerfield; just taunting Cubs. It worked. And he trotted around the bases. Rightly so. Legend.
With respect to stadium location in a smaller town, here is an example of what sort of games it opens up to a well funded NFL team:
Yes which is even more of a showboat move than admiring a HR.
2X2L
- Metaluna
Ruth needed to seek attention, showboat, in 1932? Nah. No way. Gladiator thing. Wish Root had struck him out. Last thing: it's one thing to predict a homer and hit one than to celebrate one after the fact - that's showboating. One takes juevos, the other doesn't.
And who really knows if Ruth predicted a homer in the first place? I don't remember anyone asking Gehrig, who was on deck.
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Current ownership of the Bears cannot/will not finance a stadium anywhere, lakefront or Arlington Heights without public assistance. I have some insight into the current political atmosphere in Springfield and there is no appetite for financing a new Bears stadium. I don’t have the same insight into Chicago politics, but I would be shocked if the city has the ability or the inclination to put that kind of money together. If there is going to be a new stadium on Chicago or Arlington Heights it is going to have to wait until the matriarch passes and the team is sold to an organization able and willing to finance a new stadium on its own.
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2X2L
- Metaluna
Leisure activity? That must be pickleball.
Shocking....they still think it's 1985.
If Bezos Buys the Bears, how Could that Impact the 49ers?
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is rumored to be the frontrunner to buy the Chicago Bears from the McCaskey family. The Bears have a new stadium in development, they
www.si.com
May not matter soon.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I heard years ago that the minority owners had right of first refusal to purchase the franchise. Of course, if Bezos overpays, whatever that means, I am sure that they can be persuaded to take the windfall.If Bezos Buys the Bears, how Could that Impact the 49ers?
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is rumored to be the frontrunner to buy the Chicago Bears from the McCaskey family. The Bears have a new stadium in development, they
May not matter soon.
I’d like to see a 1% owner out bid Bezos for the whole thing
basically , all a minority owner can do is participate . they can’t wag the dog
if dropping Bezos and Shanahan's names as well is tying in the mess that is the current 49ers was intended as click bait, it worked.
ROFR means they'd have a right to purchase by matching the offer. If Bezos really wants the team, well good luck with that...
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
I'm from Park Ridge and there's no effing way Park Ridge would ever want a professional team. I have no idea why they even came up in this conversation other than a Metra line runs through the town. The Metra stop right outside Arlington Park would be great, and if the State and city ponied up to help with the infrastructure, it would be a lot easier for people to drive and park, too. Not to mention getting a real tailgating scene since the Chicago Park Districts open the lots late and kick people out early.
I'd prefer they stay in Chicago, but let's not pretend there aren't some significant upsides to having the team in Arlington Heights if that's where they ultimately end up.
The center of Chicagoland influence and power players has been shifting Northward ever since O’Hare Field opened to commercial aviation.
All the land around O’Hare and the area suburbs built up quickly and the attention of all the City Fathers has shifted Northward from Downtown since then. It was different when the two Mayor Daleys’ were around because they were from Bridgeport and were interested in the health and vitality of the South Side.
But nobody in the Chicago Power Class gives a care about the South Side any more. That’s one reason that the Sox Owner wants to get closer to Downtown. He too has given up on the South Side.
So to the delight of Chicagoland North Siders the Bears will some day migrate Northward like everything else has. And if and when the Sox move out of Chicago... the South Side will not have any sports franchises left.
The Sox and the great South Side Negro League teams will be gone. The football Cardinals will be gone. Basketball (and hockey at one time) at the Intl. Amphitheater is long gone. And the North Side and West Sides will have everything.
Soldier Field has seen its best days. It has outlived its current usefulness. So if They can’t make a deal to stay on the Lakefront... the Bears will be going.
Since none of the Power Class is doing anything for the South Side... they will likewise do nothing for Chicagoland South sports fans.
This is the history of Chicago sports and where it's been headed.
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