OT: City makes pitch to keep Bears in Chicago

Jan 8, 2016
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I am not a Bears fan. However, the Bears moving out of Chicago would be a big disappointment. They are one of the blue bloods of the NFL with one of the most recognizable helmets and uniforms in any major sport. I hope they find a way to stay.
Baltimore colts were when I was young and look what happened and I forgot the raiders and the rams. I’m probably forgetting some team
 

IrishHerb

Senior
Oct 13, 2021
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One reason I'm more of a high school and college fan than a fan of major league pro teams. Penn State will always be in Penna, Notre Dame in South Bend, etc, etc. The teams stay where they belong. Not like the pros.

Back when @LionJim and I were students and later teaching, there was an older professor who was a lifelong Dodgers fan. And even though they were then in Los Angeles, he continued to call them the Brooklyn Dodgers.
 

LionJim

Heisman
Oct 12, 2021
15,189
21,079
113
One reason I'm more of a high school and college fan than a fan of major league pro teams. Penn State will always be in Penna, Notre Dame in South Bend, etc, etc. The teams stay where they belong. Not like the pros.

Back when @LionJim and I were students and later teaching, there was an older professor who was a lifelong Dodgers fan. And even though they were then in Los Angeles, he continued to call them the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Yeah, Leon.
 
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BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
43,938
35,595
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They should be forced to give up "Chicago" in their name. Yeah- the Giants and Jets too.

Yep.

I’ve posted the following before. George Halas attended University of Illinois. When he founded Da Bears, he adopted U of I’s navy and orange.

If Da Bears move to Indiana, they should drop Chicago and change uniform colors. Red and white or black and gold. Whatever.


(I’m pretty sure U of I won’t follow Da Bears to Indiana.)
 

Alphalion75

All-Conference
Oct 24, 2001
14,995
4,047
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I am not a Bears fan. However, the Bears moving out of Chicago would be a big disappointment. They are one of the blue bloods of the NFL with one of the most recognizable helmets and uniforms in any major sport. I hope they find a way to stay.
Unfortunately the leadership in Chicago and Illinois don't place as much value on keeping the Bears. Read about the plight of Bloomer Chocolate. Sorry...no link.
 

KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
5,909
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Isn't Hammond like a 20-30 minute drive under normal circumstances from Chicago?

It' essentially playing in a suburb of Chicago--I don't see the angst over this. The city failed to meet the Bears demand--this isn't a relocation. It's like if the Penguins were to play in Cranberry Township or the South Hills.
 

HarrisburgDave

All-Conference
Dec 29, 2016
1,207
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https://www.zerohedge.com/political...state-illinois-indiana-after-century-football

"Massive Fumble": Chicago Bears Leave Blue State Illinois For Indiana After Century Of Football​

I think it is way beyond time that cities stop this foolish chase after professional sports teams. Billions being spent on stadiums that are used ten times a year, at most? Every decade or so now the owners want the latest in "upgrades" to stadiums so more restaurants, entertainment, motels, etc. can be controlled by them adjacent to "their" stadiums. Meanwhile the businsesses that fed off the crowds find themselves canabalized to put more money in the pockets of team owners.

While I am on my rant.. In State College, now the home of professional sports teams, we are spending $700 million plus on stadium upgrades at a facility that can't draw for any events more than a dozen times a year. Meanwhile we are closing "branch" University campuses that made degrees available to working people and non traditional students in places like York County, that need true economic stimulus. I understand the BS spewed about the sports programs doing the fund raising, not the University. That of course is nonsense. It is a matter of priorities and mission.

Putting tens of millions a year into a small town like State College, isolated from the population centers of the Commonwealth by hours of travel thru mountains, does not well serve the citizens of the entire state. The State College campus should be allowed to dwindle and regional campuses, close to working people and families, should serve to educate future generations.
 
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BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
43,938
35,595
113
I think it is way beyond time that cities stop this foolish chase after professional sports teams. Billions being spent on stadiums that are used ten times a year, at most? Every decade or so now the owners want the latest in "upgrades" to stadiums so more restaurants, entertainment, motels, etc. can be controlled by them adjacent to "their" stadiums. Meanwhile the businsesses that fed off the crowds find themselves canabalized to put more money in the pockets of team owners.

While I am on my rant.. In State College, now the home of professional sports teams, we are spending $700 million plus on stadium upgrades at a facility that can't draw for any events more than a dozen times a year. Meanwhile we are closing "branch" University campuses that made degrees available to working people and non traditional students in places like York County, that need true economic stimulus. I understand the BS spewed about the sports programs doing the fund raising, not the University. That of course is nonsense. It is a matter of priorities and mission.

Putting tens of millions a year into a small town like State College, isolated from the population centers of the Commonwealth by hours of travel thru mountains, does not well serve the citizens of the entire state. The State College campus should be allowed to dwindle and regional campuses, close to working people and families, should serve to educate future generations.

If you build it, they will come.

Plus, they winterized the sh|tters at Beaver Stadium, so it can be used for events year round.

😞
 

HarrisburgDave

All-Conference
Dec 29, 2016
1,207
1,829
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One reason I'm more of a high school and college fan than a fan of major league pro teams. Penn State will always be in Penna, Notre Dame in South Bend, etc, etc. The teams stay where they belong. Not like the pros.

Back when @LionJim and I were students and later teaching, there was an older professor who was a lifelong Dodgers fan. And even though they were then in Los Angeles, he continued to call them the Brooklyn Dodgers.
I don't know if I agree that these schools will always be in State College, South Bend, Tuscaloosa, etc. Money talks more than ever. If Notre Dame can be had for a billion dollars why wouldnt someone buy the team and play their games in Indianapolis, New York, Chicago, etc.? At one time I would think the idea is crazy, but no longer. In eight years or so an investment group could pay off the up front investment just with a BIG conference annual payment, and still make tens of millions on the ancillary income streams from stadium operations, naming rights, etc.

I would not be surprised if there isnt a group of fund managers already looking at swooping in to control a program or two at places like Notre Dame, Texas, Alabama or Michigan. Offer a huge payday to a school and offer professional management of their athletic business, general management of their sports teams, and administration of their operations. Take that headache from a University, give them a huge payment up front and a share of annual income, and take a program national.

It would only be "Maximizing Returns" in a rational way.
 
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AvalonJohn

Redshirt
Oct 14, 2004
51
41
18
It's pretty impressive and quite an aggressive approach by the City. Not sure if they will be able to pull it all off, but give them credit for making an effort to keep the Bears in town.

The enclosed playing field will be a big help, and possibly be able to attract other events, such as NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, CFP Football Championship, Big Ten Football Championship and even....dare I say it.... a new bowl game.
Deep Dish Bowl ...... in case it happens I have the naming rights! Or maybe more appropriate for Chicago, The Deep **** Bowl ..... probably more likely.
 

CowbellMan

Senior
Feb 1, 2024
292
723
93
I think it is way beyond time that cities stop this foolish chase after professional sports teams. Billions being spent on stadiums that are used ten times a year, at most? Every decade or so now the owners want the latest in "upgrades" to stadiums so more restaurants, entertainment, motels, etc. can be controlled by them adjacent to "their" stadiums. Meanwhile the businsesses that fed off the crowds find themselves canabalized to put more money in the pockets of team owners.

While I am on my rant.. In State College, now the home of professional sports teams, we are spending $700 million plus on stadium upgrades at a facility that can't draw for any events more than a dozen times a year. Meanwhile we are closing "branch" University campuses that made degrees available to working people and non traditional students in places like York County, that need true economic stimulus. I understand the BS spewed about the sports programs doing the fund raising, not the University. That of course is nonsense. It is a matter of priorities and mission.

Putting tens of millions a year into a small town like State College, isolated from the population centers of the Commonwealth by hours of travel thru mountains, does not well serve the citizens of the entire state. The State College campus should be allowed to dwindle and regional campuses, close to working people and families, should serve to educate future generations.
At least Pegula donated half a billion dollars to Buffalo for economic development.