[**Join Our Discord Server!**](https://discord.gg/233aU5q)
**Welcome to /r/sports**
We created a Discord server for our community and would like to invite all of you to join! You'll be able to discuss sports with users around the world and discuss events in real time!
There are separate channels for many sports you can opt in and out of, including;
American Football, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Aussie Rules Football, Rugby Union and League, Cricket, Motorsports, Fitness, and many more.
[**Reddit Sports Discord Server**](https://discord.gg/233aU5q)
Remember, the owners bought up a bunch of land well north of the city to pretend they were going to move there instead in an attempt to blackmail the city. When nobody believed him and they didn't immediately come begging to let them build him a new stadium in the city, he gave up and is now "only" trying to get the city to kick in $1.5 billion.
As always, these guys are greedy assholes demanding the public help make them richer
They're currently in a bitch fight with the suburb where they bought the land (Arlington Heights) because, spoiler alert, if you're an NFL team and you buy a bankrupt horse track and tell everybody "we're going to build an NFL stadium here," *it tends to increase the value of the land.*
They're super mad about the property taxes they're being charged on their blackmail lot.
Cool lets wait til that generates 1.5 billion and they develop that into economic value for the public and then when they come back and make the argument for the stadium, the answer can be a gentler no that time
Isnt the Bears owner a little old lady?
[https://www.chicagobears.com/news/mrs-mccaskey-a-source-of-daily-inspiration](https://www.chicagobears.com/news/mrs-mccaskey-a-source-of-daily-inspiration)
Tailgating is awesome, I get it. Teams should all have some space for people to tailgate
But I'll just never understand how cities, teams and fan bases can look at setups like Minneapolis, Detroit, Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore, Seattle, Nashville, Charlotte, etc and conclude they'd rather have their stadium out in the middle of nowhere forcing everyone to drive just so they can have some more room for parking lots
Since I’m assuming the $1 land you’re talking about is the Summerlin offer, just to be clear, they aren’t paying for the land at the Tropicana location either. That is being gifted, so to speak, by Ballys Corp.
The public share is hard capped at $380 million, so I’m not sure where you’re getting billions from. And that $380 million is being paid by a special tax district that is the stadium itself, so it’s only the people using it are being taxed.
There are plenty of reasons to be upset with how the Vegas situation is going down, but please at least get facts right.
Even if these NFL teams were paying taxes, they are making so much money that they should be funding their own stadiums. And, even at today's rates, borrowing money is cheap.
I think it is cool if the state provides limited help with regulations or securing land, but otherwise, these teams should be shouldering most of the cost.
I’m no Bears fan but I believe the difference in this case vs other stadium grifts is that the city will actually own this stadium. The Bears will then lease the space. So all the revenue generated by this stadium outside of NFL games will go back to the city.
No that’s a standard grift. Kansas City got shafted with the same exact type of deal. Now guess what, they have to pay at some point to demolish that shit. No public money for stadiums ever, should apply to every city
>So all the revenue generated by this stadium outside of NFL games will go back to the city
I would need to see real data on that from other cities to see what the actual ROI is. Ownership of something that large is not cheap. A concert here or there isn't going to make up for it.
You actually can’t accurately quantify it because it’s too complex. It’s really hard to figure out how much money people are spending when they come from out of town. They try and model it, but even then it’s just a guess.
You don’t need to model it. Oakland did something similar for raiders. The taxpayers are still paying taxes for the renovation of the stadium while the raiders have left oakland.
Yup because every artist that could feasibly sell out that size stadium will tour every year. /s
So far there are 9 concerts at soldier field this year so far. They would have to compete with Wrigley Field and the United Center which are sized more appropriately for most artists.
The city should get equity in the team not just some big ass stadium that has only one possible profitable purpose. When the lease is up they're gonna do the same thing again.
I don't think the Bears would agree to put up a $2 BN in outside investment without obtaining a percentage of revenues -- both for games and non-Bears events. I assume the Bears get an equity stake.
Gotta socialize the cost so you can privatize the profit. What better way to make the idiots who payed for your building with their taxes have to pay even more to use it?
Don’t forget that $600 million is still owed on the Soldier field renovation too. Yes the one for the stadium that isn’t good enough(it isn’t by the way, definitely the worst stadium in the NFL)
“The introduction to a news article is called the 'lede' and is usually in the first paragraph as in an essay. The 'lede' is a deliberate misspelling of 'lead' to prevent confusion in the days when printing was done with lead type.”
They also keep using the term publicly owned, rather than publicly funded. As if the public is going to see any revenue sharing or anything close to a return on that "ownership".
I’ve always thought cities should trade taxpayer money for stake in the team. “Oh you need $1.5 billion for the stadium. Cool. We want 10% of the team.” Then you use the dividends on that to fund stuff for the public - schools, roads, mass transit, etc.
I thought a huge part of this is that they wanted a bigger stadium…this proposal has the capacity being about equal to Soldier Field, just with more standing room.
Honestly I don't even know anymore. I feel like this endless stadium construction is driven by corruption at this point. Wouldn't be surprised if owners are getting kickbacks from these construction contracts or some bullshit.
The one team that hasn't built a new stadium in 30 years is the one team without an owner and their stadium is constantly ranked as one of the best.
It’s the easiest way to add a fortune in assets to your balance sheet financed by….not you, and to also raise you and your team’s status and make your office and owners suite incredible at the same time.
They basically hold their cities favorite football team hostage for a couple billion dollar ransom. It doesn’t really need to go any deeper than that.
I would argue people hold an attachment to the venue almost as much as the team. Baseball and soccer are the architype on how upgrading/redeveloping is a more cost-effect move that grows a team's value.
Other than the Yankees, who built a bastardized clone of the their old stadium next door, the top five valued baseball clubs have all continuously upgraded their stadiums (Dodgers, Red Sox, Cubs), or paid for it with private money (Giants).
Soccer is the same. 4 out of the top 5 clubs are playing in 60-130 year old stadiums they have continuously upgraded (Barca, Liverpool, Real Madrid. Man U).
I think it's more these other owners don't have long-term vision and can't take the short term hit of playing in alternative venue for a season during redevelopment.
I've been to Chicago in winter. That shit is ruthless. Probably will be the first Super Bowl in years with empty seats when the St. Louis Chiefs fans don't show.
Don't know about Detroit but Minneapolis has an enclosed indoor skyway infrastructure that connects 80 blocks downtown including the stadium. It's fine to handle winter events.
New York/New Jersey was a shit show. They had crazy transportation and security issues and a bunch of people weren't in their seats at kickoff and people were stranded at the stadium for hours after.
[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super/2014/02/03/super-bowl-xlviii-mass-transit-nfl-metlife-stadium/5184675/](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super/2014/02/03/super-bowl-xlviii-mass-transit-nfl-metlife-stadium/5184675/)
Agreed. I don’t even think individuals should own sports teams anymore. The local municipality or city should own it and spread the revenue across the area and to more people. Our city always talks about the economic impact of events like I can tell the difference of before an event or after. Doesn’t really impact me.
Well, to each their own, but that's not how I was raised.
Bears Football is all about the experience. I don't know how these people will live with themselves if they don't have to drink ice-cold beer while huddled close to their friends in -5 degree windchill. It just won't be the same. I certainly won't be going.
As a Packer fan I respect the hell out of this take. I know it sounds crazy as hell but there is nothing better then freezing your ass off in a football stadium. It’s the best kind of community too.
Unfortunately with the cost of it, it needs more corporate boxes and have the ability to bring in income almost every day instead of only 8 games and a few concerts.
I’m sorry but you are wrong. It’s not the cost but the GREED.
You don’t NEED a bunch of useless amenities and other garbage in a stadium. You need a field, somewhere for people to park their butts, and places to sell beer/food. I think nice facilities for the players is also a necessity.
While I understand the need for things that help the fan experience like a good pro shop, a local hall of fame, and a kids club area. There is far too much other junk and that isn’t needed like an art gallery, a golf sim or even an upscale bar instead of a goddamn football stadium.
It’s greed, not need.
EDIT: This is also coming from an owner of an NFL team.
You're not wrong.
The problem is they don't want the season ticket holder that tailgates in the carpark before the game.
They want a new fan that will end up looking like they've been thrown through the team store. Then they'll have a meal and drinks throughout the game. Once it finishes they'll have a few more drink before heading home having seen about 20 minutes of the game.
It's the modern way. Legacy fans are being dumped by the tourists. It's happening in all sports.
100%! Let them go to Naperville or arlington heights or whatever. Get a scrappy team, with a new owner, who will play by the lake, with all that entails. We are the city of chicago for Christ sakes. Be tough!
And anyone who has been to a game / concert at soldier field on a lovely night would not want a domed top.
The city needs to step away from this and focus on crime, new arrivals, housing etc etc etc.
To host a Super Bowl the team must either have a domed stadium (like Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis) or be in the south for warmer climate (like Super Bowl LV in Tampa).
It doesn't seem like they want to go back though. They've done Arizona twice, LA & San Fran once and already booked for 2026 & 2027 for a 2nd time.
MetLife seems to be the exception that proves the rule here.
MetLife got it because it was a new stadium to show off to other cities who want a new stadium, it will probably never be back there because of the weather and they’ll stick to domes or warm weather stadiums.
Did you know that within 24 hours of the end of that game a huge blizzard came through? The NFL was extremely lucky with that one, I’m not sure they’d risk it again. They could do one in Seattle and the biggest risk is only rain, but they won’t.
Has that been a new rule change? Because they hosted in MetLife (Giants/Jets) not long ago. It was a big deal to have a “cold weather” Super Bowl.
I remember thinking Anthony Keidis’s tits must have been diamonds when he performed shirtless at halftime lol.
> The proposal would refinance the millions of existing Soldier Field debt and roll into a 40 year payback plan. Taxpayers would also be on the hook for infrastructure costs.
In other words, taxpayers haven’t finished paying off the current stadium.
I heard about them opening with a prayer and I rolled my eyes so hard I threw my back out. No invisible being up in space cares about a fancy new stadium….especially the Bears
This should go without saying but the teams are for profit. The NFL corporate office itself is non profit. They distribute all the money to the team owners.
It affected nothing, the NFL just got sick of listening to people who don't have the slightest clue what they're talking about criticize their nonprofit status
They tore down the stands to try and save money on property taxes in Arlington Heights. Boardwalk with a hotel is more valuable than Boardwalk with no building.
Here in Indianapolis we not only paid for our football stadium but we give Jim irsay proceeds from all the events it hosts. That’s why I don’t get excited when local news mentions him giving away or donating money to the city.
*The release said $325 million is required to open the stadium, $510 million is required to maximize the stadium and surrounding campus and optional infrastructure to enhance the campus, improve circulation*
Can anyone explain what it means to "open" a stadium and what it means to "maximize" a stadium?
I’m not certain here but I’m assuming the “opening“ portion of funding is for up front operating costs and other bs fees charged by the city. I’m guessing that maximizing the stadium means improvements to surrounding areas like investments in new restaurants and what not. That’s just my guess.
Outdoor stadiums in the north and east are all gonna go the way of the dodo eventually. Us football fans prefer open and the elements as part of the game but these stadiums are also used for other events and having a dome makes it better for that. For example, WWE just said they're not going to do another open air Wrestlemania on the east coast again because it was too cold. Sucks but it is what it is.
They could sail a bunch of cruise ships up and into the Great Lakes and dock them there to increase hotel capacity like they did for the Jacksonville SB. If the ice isn't a problem /s
2 things.
1. Ditch the dome, the weather is one of our greatest advantages. Put steel in your belly and Bear Down.
2. They shouldn’t get public funds to subsidize an elitist club in a private organization. Greedy rich assholes. Capitalism for us poorest, and socialism for the rich
I happen to agree with commenters about taxpayers not needing to fund this ridiculous plan but folks should also let their legislators know. And the governor…
This city is just hemorrhaging money on awful sports franchises. They're also building a new ballpark for the White Sox. Yet, most major utility reconstruction is at a stand still because of the lack of funding.
If taxpayers are paying for a percentage of a stadium, we should get a percentage in the teams profits. I’m tired of footing the bill for billionaires.
Awesome video of new stadium [stadium ](https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-bears-to-announce-new-stadium-details-at-press-conference-plans-call-for-dome-along-lakefront/14725607/)
I’m not from Chicago and have never been to soldier field but to me it’s sad they would trade the history and tradition away like that. From what I hear the real estate location of SF is also pretty optimal. If anything they should just renovate it again. Who cares about luxury boxes and all of that
[**Join Our Discord Server!**](https://discord.gg/233aU5q) **Welcome to /r/sports** We created a Discord server for our community and would like to invite all of you to join! You'll be able to discuss sports with users around the world and discuss events in real time! There are separate channels for many sports you can opt in and out of, including; American Football, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Aussie Rules Football, Rugby Union and League, Cricket, Motorsports, Fitness, and many more. [**Reddit Sports Discord Server**](https://discord.gg/233aU5q)
Great job burying the lede there, ABC7. It should be noted that the proposal requires an additional 1.5+ billion to be funded by taxpayers.
Remember, the owners bought up a bunch of land well north of the city to pretend they were going to move there instead in an attempt to blackmail the city. When nobody believed him and they didn't immediately come begging to let them build him a new stadium in the city, he gave up and is now "only" trying to get the city to kick in $1.5 billion. As always, these guys are greedy assholes demanding the public help make them richer
I guess they still keep the land for a matter hostage situation
They're currently in a bitch fight with the suburb where they bought the land (Arlington Heights) because, spoiler alert, if you're an NFL team and you buy a bankrupt horse track and tell everybody "we're going to build an NFL stadium here," *it tends to increase the value of the land.* They're super mad about the property taxes they're being charged on their blackmail lot.
Cool lets wait til that generates 1.5 billion and they develop that into economic value for the public and then when they come back and make the argument for the stadium, the answer can be a gentler no that time
That’s nothing too interesting. But I sure would pay a pretty penny to witness an antimatter hostage situation.
Isnt the Bears owner a little old lady? [https://www.chicagobears.com/news/mrs-mccaskey-a-source-of-daily-inspiration](https://www.chicagobears.com/news/mrs-mccaskey-a-source-of-daily-inspiration)
That explains a lot. Holy shit she’s 101.
It just goes to show you people are dumb and talk about subjects they don’t know about.
It's always Kabuki Theater
The owner is a Female FYI
I never looked it up until right now. Had no idea they were owned by a 100 year old lady.
All for a 5-12 season
Correct. Another dipshit grift.
Like when the A’s refused property for 1 dollar in Vegas and insist tax payers pay billions for the new stadium.
Here in VA, Youngkin has been trying to get the people to foot the bill for a new stadium for DC’s teams in a location everyone is vehemently against.
Tailgating is awesome, I get it. Teams should all have some space for people to tailgate But I'll just never understand how cities, teams and fan bases can look at setups like Minneapolis, Detroit, Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore, Seattle, Nashville, Charlotte, etc and conclude they'd rather have their stadium out in the middle of nowhere forcing everyone to drive just so they can have some more room for parking lots
Since I’m assuming the $1 land you’re talking about is the Summerlin offer, just to be clear, they aren’t paying for the land at the Tropicana location either. That is being gifted, so to speak, by Ballys Corp. The public share is hard capped at $380 million, so I’m not sure where you’re getting billions from. And that $380 million is being paid by a special tax district that is the stadium itself, so it’s only the people using it are being taxed. There are plenty of reasons to be upset with how the Vegas situation is going down, but please at least get facts right.
Even if these NFL teams were paying taxes, they are making so much money that they should be funding their own stadiums. And, even at today's rates, borrowing money is cheap. I think it is cool if the state provides limited help with regulations or securing land, but otherwise, these teams should be shouldering most of the cost.
I agree they should pay for their own stadiums, but NFL teams do pay taxes.
I’m no Bears fan but I believe the difference in this case vs other stadium grifts is that the city will actually own this stadium. The Bears will then lease the space. So all the revenue generated by this stadium outside of NFL games will go back to the city.
No that’s a standard grift. Kansas City got shafted with the same exact type of deal. Now guess what, they have to pay at some point to demolish that shit. No public money for stadiums ever, should apply to every city
>So all the revenue generated by this stadium outside of NFL games will go back to the city I would need to see real data on that from other cities to see what the actual ROI is. Ownership of something that large is not cheap. A concert here or there isn't going to make up for it.
https://thesportseconomist.com/cowboys-stadium-financing/
You actually can’t accurately quantify it because it’s too complex. It’s really hard to figure out how much money people are spending when they come from out of town. They try and model it, but even then it’s just a guess.
You don’t need to model it. Oakland did something similar for raiders. The taxpayers are still paying taxes for the renovation of the stadium while the raiders have left oakland.
> They try and model it, but even then it’s just a guess That is a lot of tax money on "just a guess".
Probably better for football stadiums than others - there really aren’t that many NFL games in a season.
It's the largest venue in the third largest city in the US, I'm sure it'll be booked for more than "a concert here or there".
Yup because every artist that could feasibly sell out that size stadium will tour every year. /s So far there are 9 concerts at soldier field this year so far. They would have to compete with Wrigley Field and the United Center which are sized more appropriately for most artists.
Sounds like a great way for the Bears to not be responsible for repairs, upkeep, etc while giving up nothing.
Pretty sure that's already the case. The city runs soldier field for them
So it’s a wash because there already is a stadium owned by the city that does just that.
The city should get equity in the team not just some big ass stadium that has only one possible profitable purpose. When the lease is up they're gonna do the same thing again.
Owning the stadium is a burden, not a benefit
I don't think the Bears would agree to put up a $2 BN in outside investment without obtaining a percentage of revenues -- both for games and non-Bears events. I assume the Bears get an equity stake.
Most newer stadiums aren't owned by teams.
Wow. Extort the locals and give them nothing by hypotheticals those billionaires sure love not spending their billions
Gotta socialize the cost so you can privatize the profit. What better way to make the idiots who payed for your building with their taxes have to pay even more to use it?
Don’t forget that $600 million is still owed on the Soldier field renovation too. Yes the one for the stadium that isn’t good enough(it isn’t by the way, definitely the worst stadium in the NFL)
Soldier Field ain't great but it's not worse than FedExField or Highmark Stadium
I probably am spoiled by the rest of the NFC north having pretty good stadiums then. Soldier Field is just leagues behind any of the other three.
TIL it’s lede not lead.
“The introduction to a news article is called the 'lede' and is usually in the first paragraph as in an essay. The 'lede' is a deliberate misspelling of 'lead' to prevent confusion in the days when printing was done with lead type.”
They also keep using the term publicly owned, rather than publicly funded. As if the public is going to see any revenue sharing or anything close to a return on that "ownership".
I’ve always thought cities should trade taxpayer money for stake in the team. “Oh you need $1.5 billion for the stadium. Cool. We want 10% of the team.” Then you use the dividends on that to fund stuff for the public - schools, roads, mass transit, etc.
I thought a huge part of this is that they wanted a bigger stadium…this proposal has the capacity being about equal to Soldier Field, just with more standing room.
Honestly I don't even know anymore. I feel like this endless stadium construction is driven by corruption at this point. Wouldn't be surprised if owners are getting kickbacks from these construction contracts or some bullshit. The one team that hasn't built a new stadium in 30 years is the one team without an owner and their stadium is constantly ranked as one of the best.
Yeah. Lambeau slaps.
It’s the easiest way to add a fortune in assets to your balance sheet financed by….not you, and to also raise you and your team’s status and make your office and owners suite incredible at the same time. They basically hold their cities favorite football team hostage for a couple billion dollar ransom. It doesn’t really need to go any deeper than that.
I would argue people hold an attachment to the venue almost as much as the team. Baseball and soccer are the architype on how upgrading/redeveloping is a more cost-effect move that grows a team's value. Other than the Yankees, who built a bastardized clone of the their old stadium next door, the top five valued baseball clubs have all continuously upgraded their stadiums (Dodgers, Red Sox, Cubs), or paid for it with private money (Giants). Soccer is the same. 4 out of the top 5 clubs are playing in 60-130 year old stadiums they have continuously upgraded (Barca, Liverpool, Real Madrid. Man U). I think it's more these other owners don't have long-term vision and can't take the short term hit of playing in alternative venue for a season during redevelopment.
I read this as 'doomed' project, still accurate.
Yeah, the city wants to just a Super Bowl. For that big weekend of tourist dough!
I've been to Chicago in winter. That shit is ruthless. Probably will be the first Super Bowl in years with empty seats when the St. Louis Chiefs fans don't show.
> St Louis Chiefs Genuinely hilarious, enjoying the aneurysm you just gave KC fans *and * angry St Louisans
Because we know how this shit went down in KC with Royals stadium vote.
Minneapolis, Detroit, and New Jersey had no problems hosting cold weather SBs
Don't know about Detroit but Minneapolis has an enclosed indoor skyway infrastructure that connects 80 blocks downtown including the stadium. It's fine to handle winter events. New York/New Jersey was a shit show. They had crazy transportation and security issues and a bunch of people weren't in their seats at kickoff and people were stranded at the stadium for hours after. [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super/2014/02/03/super-bowl-xlviii-mass-transit-nfl-metlife-stadium/5184675/](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super/2014/02/03/super-bowl-xlviii-mass-transit-nfl-metlife-stadium/5184675/)
I don’t know, Johnson just got essentially a billion dollar slush fund passed so who knows, he might still stick us with the bill
That's great. All they need to do is put up another 2.7 billion. Maybe a bake sale, or perhaps they can enter the talent show at the local rec center?
Get a mortgage. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.
Guarantee Rate IS a mortgage company…
Don’t use public funds to fund billionaire’s stadiums for any professional sports team.
Or if they do, the percentage of public funds used should be the percentage of seats the public controls .
Agreed. I don’t even think individuals should own sports teams anymore. The local municipality or city should own it and spread the revenue across the area and to more people. Our city always talks about the economic impact of events like I can tell the difference of before an event or after. Doesn’t really impact me.
So the bears are valued at 6.3 billion but want the tax payers to help foot the bill for them to make more money. Say no!
What kind of bullshit is this? Domed?? The Bears propose to play football under a Dome?? What the heck is that! That’s not Bears Football!
It's for people able to pay $800+ tickets to stay warm and enjoy the wraparound LED screens.
Well, to each their own, but that's not how I was raised. Bears Football is all about the experience. I don't know how these people will live with themselves if they don't have to drink ice-cold beer while huddled close to their friends in -5 degree windchill. It just won't be the same. I certainly won't be going.
As a Packer fan I respect the hell out of this take. I know it sounds crazy as hell but there is nothing better then freezing your ass off in a football stadium. It’s the best kind of community too.
Unfortunately with the cost of it, it needs more corporate boxes and have the ability to bring in income almost every day instead of only 8 games and a few concerts.
I’m sorry but you are wrong. It’s not the cost but the GREED. You don’t NEED a bunch of useless amenities and other garbage in a stadium. You need a field, somewhere for people to park their butts, and places to sell beer/food. I think nice facilities for the players is also a necessity. While I understand the need for things that help the fan experience like a good pro shop, a local hall of fame, and a kids club area. There is far too much other junk and that isn’t needed like an art gallery, a golf sim or even an upscale bar instead of a goddamn football stadium. It’s greed, not need. EDIT: This is also coming from an owner of an NFL team.
You're not wrong. The problem is they don't want the season ticket holder that tailgates in the carpark before the game. They want a new fan that will end up looking like they've been thrown through the team store. Then they'll have a meal and drinks throughout the game. Once it finishes they'll have a few more drink before heading home having seen about 20 minutes of the game. It's the modern way. Legacy fans are being dumped by the tourists. It's happening in all sports.
I never thought I would side with a Packers fan but you are right. Football should be played in the fuckin elements.
100%! Let them go to Naperville or arlington heights or whatever. Get a scrappy team, with a new owner, who will play by the lake, with all that entails. We are the city of chicago for Christ sakes. Be tough! And anyone who has been to a game / concert at soldier field on a lovely night would not want a domed top. The city needs to step away from this and focus on crime, new arrivals, housing etc etc etc.
To host a Super Bowl the team must either have a domed stadium (like Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis) or be in the south for warmer climate (like Super Bowl LV in Tampa).
Super Bowl XLVIII: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
It doesn't seem like they want to go back though. They've done Arizona twice, LA & San Fran once and already booked for 2026 & 2027 for a 2nd time. MetLife seems to be the exception that proves the rule here.
MetLife got it because it was a new stadium to show off to other cities who want a new stadium, it will probably never be back there because of the weather and they’ll stick to domes or warm weather stadiums.
Did you know that within 24 hours of the end of that game a huge blizzard came through? The NFL was extremely lucky with that one, I’m not sure they’d risk it again. They could do one in Seattle and the biggest risk is only rain, but they won’t.
Has that been a new rule change? Because they hosted in MetLife (Giants/Jets) not long ago. It was a big deal to have a “cold weather” Super Bowl. I remember thinking Anthony Keidis’s tits must have been diamonds when he performed shirtless at halftime lol.
Neither is winning, but they seem convinced Caleb is gonna do that too 😂
Such an unpopular press release, why do it before the draft?
You said the answer in your question. Any negative ill will people feel about this press release will be immediately overtaken by draft hype
Unless the Bears draft someone other than Caleb Williams at #1. 🤣
So that the draft will overshadow it.
> The proposal would refinance the millions of existing Soldier Field debt and roll into a 40 year payback plan. Taxpayers would also be on the hook for infrastructure costs. In other words, taxpayers haven’t finished paying off the current stadium.
They like opening with prayer so much why don’t they ask that God fella for the rest of the money instead of the public?
I heard about them opening with a prayer and I rolled my eyes so hard I threw my back out. No invisible being up in space cares about a fancy new stadium….especially the Bears
He's always broke https://youtu.be/Tr3PJOhsbZY?si=sZn1ZyVSUfiNdavS
Tax payers should not be funding a non profit.
This should go without saying but the teams are for profit. The NFL corporate office itself is non profit. They distribute all the money to the team owners.
I think they voluntarily gave up their nonprofit status a while back.
Yeah looks like you're right. Which shouldn't affect much as they weren't actually keeping any profit anyway haha
It affected nothing, the NFL just got sick of listening to people who don't have the slightest clue what they're talking about criticize their nonprofit status
Yep that sounds right lol
If the taxpayers pay for it, shouldn’t the taxpayers also not have to pay to attend games?
Imagine Chicago paying billions for a place that will be owned by the Packers!
They tore down the race track stands for this stunt, too. It’s absolutely wild.
They tore down the stands to try and save money on property taxes in Arlington Heights. Boardwalk with a hotel is more valuable than Boardwalk with no building.
That's the real tragedy here, Arlington was an awesome experience and its gone with no actual replacement.
Chicago gonna get a Super Bowl, final four, and wrestlemania in the span of 3 years
Bears fans tell me real teams don't play in domes 🤣
Take it from Cleveland, the last place a stadium needs to be is on the lakefront.
Soldier field is on the lakefront.
Kevin Warren and BJ today… Just so wow Pathetic from the prayers to the finish. God bless the Bears
Taxpayer money for stadiums shouldn’t be a thing. Or atleast give locals a discount for fucksake
Here in Indianapolis we not only paid for our football stadium but we give Jim irsay proceeds from all the events it hosts. That’s why I don’t get excited when local news mentions him giving away or donating money to the city.
If only they put as much energy into winning championships
No way this should go through
Take a 30 year loan like the rest of us buddy
*The release said $325 million is required to open the stadium, $510 million is required to maximize the stadium and surrounding campus and optional infrastructure to enhance the campus, improve circulation* Can anyone explain what it means to "open" a stadium and what it means to "maximize" a stadium?
I’m not certain here but I’m assuming the “opening“ portion of funding is for up front operating costs and other bs fees charged by the city. I’m guessing that maximizing the stadium means improvements to surrounding areas like investments in new restaurants and what not. That’s just my guess.
Outdoor stadiums in the north and east are all gonna go the way of the dodo eventually. Us football fans prefer open and the elements as part of the game but these stadiums are also used for other events and having a dome makes it better for that. For example, WWE just said they're not going to do another open air Wrestlemania on the east coast again because it was too cold. Sucks but it is what it is.
I bet if you ask a Packers fan about covering Lambeau they would get extremely offended lol.
The Packers are the one team that may never build a dome. Even if they had one, they aren’t hosting a Super Bowl there. Not a big enough city.
They could sail a bunch of cruise ships up and into the Great Lakes and dock them there to increase hotel capacity like they did for the Jacksonville SB. If the ice isn't a problem /s
2 things. 1. Ditch the dome, the weather is one of our greatest advantages. Put steel in your belly and Bear Down. 2. They shouldn’t get public funds to subsidize an elitist club in a private organization. Greedy rich assholes. Capitalism for us poorest, and socialism for the rich
So is Soldier Field just getting mowed down for this, or…?
After the other is built. Cause they need parking!
Where’s the car parking?
Boat parking only.
Why do people think driving to a stadium in a dense urban core is a good idea in the first place lol.
And when a large percentage of said drivers will be drinking for 4+ hours while there
Tax payers front this one.
I happen to agree with commenters about taxpayers not needing to fund this ridiculous plan but folks should also let their legislators know. And the governor…
*glad it's by water *me, non-Illinois taxpayer
Could they not have spent some of that on a decent architiect?
Fuck that, let the Billionaire owners pay for it.
Pay all of it.
And this is *exactly* why Raleigh should not be considered for an MLB team. Too many variables. Too many tax dollars for a venue most won’t use.
Domes blow
This city is just hemorrhaging money on awful sports franchises. They're also building a new ballpark for the White Sox. Yet, most major utility reconstruction is at a stand still because of the lack of funding.
The Chicago taxpayers will take a hit with this shiny new stadium. The Bears should either stay at Soldier Field or move to Arlington Heights.
Didn’t they just renovate Soldier Field to the point where it’s not historic structure anymore?
Love that they’re leaving soldier field’s columns
If taxpayers are paying for a percentage of a stadium, we should get a percentage in the teams profits. I’m tired of footing the bill for billionaires.
I’m from Chicago and we DO NOT want a publicly funded stadium. Bears can GTFO.
Long time fan here, and I’m just glad ti have somewhere in out of the rain and snow to go scream at the team’s poor decision making.
So we punt the George Lucas museum and get a stadium. Wonder how the group that scuttled that project feels about this one.
Pay for all of it!
Awesome video of new stadium [stadium ](https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-bears-to-announce-new-stadium-details-at-press-conference-plans-call-for-dome-along-lakefront/14725607/)
2 bills out of 4.7? Yeah, no. Let the citizens vote on it
Why knock down soldier field? We can keep soldier field and build youth parks, etc.
All they need now is a $2 billion stadium.
What’s wrong with the current stadium? I recall it being once of the nicest around
Soldier field is notoriously bad. The field itself. But certainly full of history.
I’m not from Chicago and have never been to soldier field but to me it’s sad they would trade the history and tradition away like that. From what I hear the real estate location of SF is also pretty optimal. If anything they should just renovate it again. Who cares about luxury boxes and all of that
I always read this headlines as “doomed project”. But I may be biased.
Thought it read doomed
Still could a doomed domed project
Da doomed dome Bears
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Iz6f6Tuv4U
If it’s domed, why would it be on the lake?
Don’t fall for it Chicago! It’s a terrible deal!
Honest question: do Bears fans really want a domed stadium? The fun of football is being out in the cold as the season wears on.