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The Chicago Bears are one step closer to saying they are from the city when they actually reside in the suburbs. The team submitted a bid to purchase the Arlington Park racetrack Thursday, fueling rumors the team could leave Soldier Field behind.
Team president and CEO Ted Phillips confirmed the news, saying the team is exploring every option. If the bid is accepted, Phillips said the Bears will “further evaluate the property and its potential.”
Rumors that the Bears would move to Arlington Heights, the suburb in which Arlington racetrack is located, have persisted for decades. Speculation has grown lately, however, as the team hasn’t denied its interest in purchasing the racetrack. Thursday’s news adds even more fuel to that fire.
Bears still have lease at Soldier Field through 2033
The Bears buying Arlington racetrack doesn’t guarantee the team will move to Arlington Heights. There are still multiple hoops to jump through in order for that to happen. One of the biggest involves the Bears’ current lease at Soldier Field, which runs through 2033.
It’s unclear what it would take to get out of that lease, or what it would cost for the team to convert Arlington racetrack into a football stadium. It’s also possible the city of Chicago does whatever it can to make sure the Bears remain in Chicago.
In the event the Bears do move to Arlington Heights, it’s not clear what would happen to Soldier Field. The venue hosts concerts and other events, though the Bears are a significant draw. Given the size of the stadium, the city of Chicago could use Soldier Field as a draw for an expansion team if the NFL decides to add more team.
That seems outlandish, but Chicago has shown it can support two baseball teams.
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