The Chicago Bears are putting their game face on corporate engagement, planning focus groups this week to tap into fan desires for the amenities in a new stadium—yet conspicuously leaving the question of location off the table. While the team has confirmed these sessions, as reported by NBC Chicago, the Chicago Tribune suggests a sideline shuffle, as fans aren't being consulted on whether they'd prefer the roar of the city or the cheers in the suburbs.
Indeed, the turf war continues with the Bears seemingly anchored to their downtown aspiration, Kevin Warren, Bears president and CEO, referred to the downtown plot as "the most beautiful piece of property in the country, where lake meets architecture," according to NBC Chicago.
But here comes the hail mary: the Bears have pitched a hefty $2.3 billion play for a domed lakefront coliseum to take up the mantle from Soldier Field—with an assist ask of $900 million in taxpayer dollars. The full play, as described by the Chicago Tribune, includes a bulging $1.5 billion for public infrastructure, a heavy $430 million to refinance existing stadium debt, and a nifty $160 million to patch up predicted shortages in city hotel tax revenue.
However, as the touchdown dance continues for a new home field, some fans like season ticket holder Martin Anderson express a different view, noting, “The time, the hassle to get there, particularly the parking,” and suggesting that "if they ask, the season ticket holders would probably want them out of the city,” as he told the Chicago Tribune.
