Despite the Bears saying last month that they are moving forward with plans to build a new stadium in Indiana, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says Illinois is not out of the running.
Goodell told reporters at Wednesday’s owners’ meeting that the former racetrack in Arlington Heights, Illinois, that the Bears purchased in 2023 could still be the team’s next home.
“There’s no specific timetable from my standpoint, other than we know that they are looking at the alternate groups, Indiana or Arlington Heights,” Goodell said, via Jarrett Bell of USA Today. “We want to make sure that Arlington Heights and Illinois have an opportunity, as well as Indiana, to put their best foot forward.”
Goodell said he recently met with Illinois officials. Proposals for Illinois taxpayers to pay for infrastructure around the Bears’ new stadium haven’t gone anywhere, while Indiana is willing to spend tax money to attract the Bears.
“I’m involved in a lot of stadium efforts,” Goodell said. “It’s not unusual for me to be involved in conversations with either public officials or others. Or our staff. There are important decisions, not just for the communities but for teams and the NFL. So these are important things for us.”
Remaining in the city of Chicago, where the Bears have played for more than a century, does not appear to be an option. The question is whether the Bears will move to a Chicago suburb in Illinois or in Indiana.
The Bears’ stadium saga has been going on for years, and the team’s recent comments seemed to suggest that Indiana would be the Bears’ next home. Goodell sounds more willing to give Illinois time to come up with a deal to keep the Bears in the state.
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