Bears confirm name will stay unchanged if stadium moves to Indiana
Chicago Bears chairman George H. McCaskey said the team will retain its name even if a new stadium is built in Hammond, Indiana, as the franchise advances its relocation plans.
Chicago Bears chairman George H. McCaskey told reporters at the team's training camp that the franchise will remain the Chicago Bears regardless of whether a new stadium is constructed in Hammond, Indiana, rather than in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He said the organization is concentrating its efforts on the Hammond site, where it is pursuing a fixed-roof stadium.
Both McCaskey and Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren reaffirmed the commitment to building in Hammond. After the board voted in June to move the stadium development to Indiana, communication with Illinois legislators has been described as minimal. Illinois lawmakers have not passed a bill allowing the Bears to pay a lump-sum in lieu of property taxes, while Indiana has offered tax certainty and up to $1 billion in incentives.
Warren said the team has completed due-diligence on the Lost Marsh property and is evaluating a nearby Wolf Lake Terminal parcel, with environmental studies ongoing. He indicated that once financing is secured, the Bears will decide on breaking ground.
The Bears have never played home games outside Illinois, and McCaskey acknowledged fan concerns about a potential out-of-state move. He expressed confidence that fans will adjust once the new stadium is built.
The current lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033. The Bears will open their preseason against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, with quarterback Caleb Williams and several starters expected to sit out, according to head coach Ben Johnson.