Bears moving to Indiana? 😆

CatManTrue · Feb 19, 2026

This could be the best news for Gary Indiana since “The Music Man”!

Indiana unanimously passes bill to lure Bears away from Chicago

The Bears' search for a new home took a "meaningful step" forward, opening the door for the storied franchise to leave Illinois and potentially build a new, domed stadium in Indiana.

www.espn.com

mickbula · Feb 19, 2026

CatManTrue said:
This could be the best news for Gary Indiana since “The Music Man”!

Indiana unanimously passes bill to lure Bears away from Chicago

The Bears' search for a new home took a "meaningful step" forward, opening the door for the storied franchise to leave Illinois and potentially build a new, domed stadium in Indiana.

www.espn.com

Have fun breathing the benzene on game day. The fans who go to games there should wash their clothes and shoes to get rid of all the contamination as well when they get home. If this is true that they are going to ind I think the bears leadership is crazy. The bears don’t want to pay taxes in arl hts to support the public schools

Fanaticat98 · Feb 19, 2026

mickbula said:
Have fun breathing the benzene on game day. The fans who go to games there should wash their clothes and shoes to get rid of all the contamination as well when they get home. If this is true that they are going to ind I think the bears leadership is crazy. The bears don’t want to pay taxes in arl hts to support the public schools

It must be a looooot of taxes, or they’re too cheap to pay them. To give up an easily accessible site in the center of a lot of the affluent suburbs, with a Metra stop and a few minutes from ORD to the middle of an industrial wasteland in the midst of lower income suburbs?

Sheffielder · Feb 19, 2026

As someone who doesn't care at all about the NFL...

1. I wish Bears fans would see the FILTHY rich pro sports team as the enemy here and not the state government that is effectively poor and being pitted against the other state government that isn't any richer but is perhaps more desperate to "win."

2. While I don't understand how or why it's never financially beneficial for states and cities to own stadiums, independent studies basically unanimously confirm these investments never really help the locals, don't create sustainable jobs, etc. in the long run.

3. I would love for THIS situation to be the wake up call to state and city governments to reverse the flow of the pro sports/city relationship where cities are expected to subsidize the teams. That's the only thing the Bears have going for them right now - the expectation that "all cities do this for their teams."

Hungry Jack · Feb 19, 2026

I don think the Bears have nearly the cash to build a $4-5B facility (SoFi cost over $5B). They would need to borrow heavily, and the NFL limits franchises to $800M in debt. The other option is selling a large chunk of the team. So having an equity partner in the stadium solves a huge problem for them.

Purple Pile Driver · Feb 19, 2026

Sheffielder said:
As someone who doesn't care at all about the NFL...

1. I wish Bears fans would see the FILTHY rich pro sports team as the enemy here and not the state government that is effectively poor and being pitted against the other state government that isn't any richer but is perhaps more desperate to "win."

2. While I don't understand how or why it's never financially beneficial for states and cities to own stadiums, independent studies basically unanimously confirm these investments never really help the locals, don't create sustainable jobs, etc. in the long run.

3. I would love for THIS situation to be the wake up call to state and city governments to reverse the flow of the pro sports/city relationship where cities are expected to subsidize the teams. That's the only thing the Bears have going for them right now - the expectation that "all cities do this for their teams."

Filthy rich sports teams are the enemy. The value of the franchise doubles every few years but they can’t borrow to build a stadium?

also, the fact is states and locals have historically done this to ensure retention of the franchise. So both fit the category of the enemy.

I lived 2 blocks from Arlington Park at one time and now am a 5 minute car ride. I hope we don’t cave in. If the Bears go to Indiana, good luck.

its_the_sauce · Feb 19, 2026

Put me in the "I'll believe it when I see it" camp. If it happens I'll save money. I won't turn in my tickets but instead of attending all the games like I currently do, I'll simply turn them for profit.

It might not be that bad a deal for Chicago if they move. It's mentioned how the new stadium could attract a Super Bowl, Final Four, concerts etc.. If the new Hammond stadium does get a Super Bowl, where do you think people will stay/book hotels? Do you think it will be in Gary/Hammond area or do you think it will be in Chicago?

Purple Pile Driver · Feb 19, 2026

its_the_sauce said:
Put me in the "I'll believe it when I see it" camp. If it happens I'll save money. I won't turn in my tickets but instead of attending all the games like I currently do, I'll simply turn them for profit.

It might not be that bad a deal for Chicago if they move. It's mentioned how the new stadium could attract a Super Bowl, Final Four, concerts etc.. If the new Hammond stadium does get a Super Bowl, where do you think people will stay/book hotels? Do you think it will be in Gary/Hammond area or do you think it will be in Chicago?

Might be a decent deal for Chicago for what you describe, but it sucks for the fans. I still think this is leverage for the AH deal that they truly want.

AdamOnFirst · Feb 19, 2026

Sheffielder said:
As someone who doesn't care at all about the NFL...

1. I wish Bears fans would see the FILTHY rich pro sports team as the enemy here and not the state government that is effectively poor and being pitted against the other state government that isn't any richer but is perhaps more desperate to "win."

2. While I don't understand how or why it's never financially beneficial for states and cities to own stadiums, independent studies basically unanimously confirm these investments never really help the locals, don't create sustainable jobs, etc. in the long run.

3. I would love for THIS situation to be the wake up call to state and city governments to reverse the flow of the pro sports/city relationship where cities are expected to subsidize the teams. That's the only thing the Bears have going for them right now - the expectation that "all cities do this for their teams."

The State Government of Illinois is anything but poor. They're filthy, filthy rich. Doesn't mean they should build a stadium.

I was part of a group that discussed this with one of the local school Superintendents last week and his perspective was interesting. My assumption is this Indiana thing is mostly just a leverage play. The school district sounded generally excited about the prospect of the project and the aforementioned revenue potential. His quote was along the lines of "as soon as the city and state legislature can stop getting in everybody's way."

Hungry Jack · Feb 19, 2026

its_the_sauce said:
Put me in the "I'll believe it when I see it" camp. If it happens I'll save money. I won't turn in my tickets but instead of attending all the games like I currently do, I'll simply turn them for profit.

It might not be that bad a deal for Chicago if they move. It's mentioned how the new stadium could attract a Super Bowl, Final Four, concerts etc.. If the new Hammond stadium does get a Super Bowl, where do you think people will stay/book hotels? Do you think it will be in Gary/Hammond area or do you think it will be in Chicago?

They will dine at the Purple Steer in Whiting

its_the_sauce · Feb 19, 2026

Hungry Jack said:
They will dine at the Purple Steer in Whiting

If only Phil Schmidt's were still open.....

techtim72 · Feb 19, 2026

The old play was to move the team to another city. Here it is to threaten with various regional sites. Question. Which entertainment district - hotels, retail, etc - is more valuable given the costs are more or less the same? Not even close. The Bears aren't just building a stadium. The problem is the negotiations are handled by politicians and their experiences are weak and their incentives distorted.

Fanaticat98 · Feb 19, 2026

The Bears own the Arlington site if I read correctly, paying 200 million for it, and they also paid for the demolition of the racetrack facilities. They must’ve sunk a huge ton of money into both physical and paper site studies/engineering/designs/whatever which are specific to that stadium site.
What are they going to do, sell it to a developer to recoup those costs?

Hungry Jack · Feb 19, 2026

Fanaticat98 said:
The Bears own the Arlington site if I read correctly, paying 200 million for it, and they also paid for the demolition of the racetrack facilities. They must’ve sunk a huge ton of money into both physical and paper site studies/engineering/designs/whatever which are specific to that stadium site.
What are they going to do, sell it to a developer to recoup those costs?

Yes

Sheffielder · Feb 19, 2026

I realize it's common for sports franchises to operate adjacent to the city namesake they claim...and the Jets/Giants already broke the seal on crossing state lines...to be honest, the potential Bears' move to Arlington Heights makes perfect sense - there's already a Metra station right at the former racetrack, and room to build out. To be honest I'd probably attend more Bears games there than I have under the requirement of getting to/from Soldier Field on a game day...but for the Bears' organization to be considering a move to Hammond...if they're serious then they are completely out of touch with Chicago culture and Chicagoans should call their bluff. This is like a guy threatening to leave his wife for a cheap hooker - don't bend to such a low-class threat, or just take the wheel and let them leave.

CatManTrue · Feb 19, 2026

its_the_sauce said:
Put me in the "I'll believe it when I see it" camp. If it happens I'll save money. I won't turn in my tickets but instead of attending all the games like I currently do, I'll simply turn them for profit.

It might not be that bad a deal for Chicago if they move. It's mentioned how the new stadium could attract a Super Bowl, Final Four, concerts etc.. If the new Hammond stadium does get a Super Bowl, where do you think people will stay/book hotels? Do you think it will be in Gary/Hammond area or do you think it will be in Chicago?

People are already getting Hammond Bears gear going.

AdamOnFirst · Feb 20, 2026

Fanaticat98 said:
The Bears own the Arlington site if I read correctly, paying 200 million for it, and they also paid for the demolition of the racetrack facilities. They must’ve sunk a huge ton of money into both physical and paper site studies/engineering/designs/whatever which are specific to that stadium site.
What are they going to do, sell it to a developer to recoup those costs?

They'd sell at a big loss if the Illinois legislature is really THAT impossible to work with or if Indiana is really offering THAT MUCH in terms of subsidies and tax breaks. That said, I generally agree it would come at a massive loss in terms of development potential, but who knows.

AdamOnFirst · Feb 20, 2026

Sheffielder said:
I realize it's common for sports franchises to operate adjacent to the city namesake they claim...and the Jets/Giants already broke the seal on crossing state lines...to be honest, the potential Bears' move to Arlington Heights makes perfect sense - there's already a Metra station right at the former racetrack, and room to build out. To be honest I'd probably attend more Bears games there than I have under the requirement of getting to/from Soldier Field on a game day...but for the Bears' organization to be considering a move to Hammond...if they're serious then they are completely out of touch with Chicago culture and Chicagoans should call their bluff. This is like a guy threatening to leave his wife for a cheap hooker - don't bend to such a low-class threat, or just take the wheel and let them leave.

A move like this isn't trying to bluff fans, it's leverage with a nearly impossible to deal with legislature. Also, I'll be honest, I didn't realize how close Hammond was to Chicago, what with people talking about Gary. A combo of a backup plan, leverage, and a far, far friendlier legislature is a big plus.

Hungry Jack · Feb 20, 2026

AdamOnFirst said:
They'd sell at a big loss if the Illinois legislature is really THAT impossible to work with or if Indiana is really offering THAT MUCH in terms of subsidies and tax breaks. That said, I generally agree it would come at a massive loss in terms of development potential, but who knows.

The difference in putative financial support appears to be jarring. Indiana is offering to finance a facility that would cost at least $2B. Illinois is offering tax incentives. If Illinois is offering $100M (a very generous assumption) in tax incentives, that’s 20 years of cash flow to match before any discounting. In other words, the offers are in different financial universes.

Purple Pile Driver · Feb 20, 2026

Hungry Jack said:
The difference in putative financial support appears to be jarring. Indiana is offering to finance a facility that would cost at least $2B. Illinois is offering tax incentives. If Illinois is offering $100M (a very generous assumption) in tax incentives, that’s 20 years of cash flow to match before any discounting. In other words, the offers are in different financial universes.

They aren’t going to Indiana.

WestCoastWildcat · Feb 20, 2026

Indiana already has pro teams, just at the collegiatiate level, thanks to NIL!

CatManTrue · Feb 20, 2026

mickbula said:
Have fun breathing the benzene on game day. The fans who go to games there should wash their clothes and shoes to get rid of all the contamination as well when they get home. If this is true that they are going to ind I think the bears leadership is crazy. The bears don’t want to pay taxes in arl hts to support the public schools

Early reviews are in

Hungry Jack · Feb 20, 2026

Purple Pile Driver said:
They aren’t going to Indiana.

Ok George

xxxbobxxx · Feb 22, 2026

AdamOnFirst said:
The State Government of Illinois is anything but poor. They're filthy, filthy rich. Doesn't mean they should build a stadium.

I was part of a group that discussed this with one of the local school Superintendents last week and his perspective was interesting. My assumption is this Indiana thing is mostly just a leverage play. The school district sounded generally excited about the prospect of the project and the aforementioned revenue potential. His quote was along the lines of "as soon as the city and state legislature can stop getting in everybody's way."

The various governments in the state of Illinois are both corrupt and have ridiculous budgets. Double pensions and corrupt outside contracting has been ripping off taxpayers throughout Illinois for decades. Every time they get a bail out like after Covid instead of fixing the core problems they simply pay the cronies and continue to accrue debt at the taxpayers expense. I hope the Bears leave and I hope every other professional team and major corporation follows.

CatManTrue · Feb 22, 2026

xxxbobxxx said:
The various governments in the state of Illinois are both corrupt and have ridiculous budgets. Double pensions and corrupt outside contracting has been ripping off taxpayers throughout Illinois for decades. Every time they get a bail out like after Covid instead of fixing the core problems they simply pay the cronies and continue to accrue debt at the taxpayers expense. I hope the Bears leave and I hope every other professional team and major corporation follows.

Bob! Welcome back. We could use more fellow freeloading folks with interesting opinions. Hopefully NUCat320 and some other old times show back up.

How have things been? Are the townies at your Indiana watering hole cheering this news?

xxxbobxxx · Feb 24, 2026

CatManTrue said:
Bob! Welcome back. We could use more fellow freeloading folks with interesting opinions. Hopefully NUCat320 and some other old times show back up.

How have things been? Are the townies at your Indiana watering hole cheering this news?

I’m in Tahoe again. This time full midlife crisis - teaching skiing and snowboarding while avoiding NU sports…. But I’ll be back for scuba again - Belize, BVI and Philippines this year. And maybe get some season tickets to my new home town football team.

Hungry Jack · Feb 24, 2026

xxxbobxxx said:
I’m in Tahoe again. This time full midlife crisis - teaching skiing and snowboarding while avoiding NU sports…. But I’ll be back for scuba again - Belize, BVI and Philippines this year. And maybe get some season tickets to my new home town football team.

Errrr…please pay attention to avalanche conditions. My old neighbor knows two of the moms killed last week. They had no business being taken back there by those “guides.”

Anon1756236851 · Feb 24, 2026

AdamOnFirst said:
A move like this isn't trying to bluff fans, it's leverage with a nearly impossible to deal with legislature. Also, I'll be honest, I didn't realize how close Hammond was to Chicago, what with people talking about Gary. A combo of a backup plan, leverage, and a far, far friendlier legislature is a big plus.

Read a map.

xxxbobxxx · Feb 24, 2026

Hungry Jack said:
Errrr…please pay attention to avalanche conditions. My old neighbor knows two of the moms killed last week. They had no business being taken back there by those “guides.”

Yup, and we lost an instructor from our locker room too. Two other fatalities here, two at heavenly. The community is pretty beat up right now.

Alaskawildkat · Feb 26, 2026

Hungry Jack said:
Errrr…please pay attention to avalanche conditions. My old neighbor knows two of the moms killed last week. They had no business being taken back there by those “guides.”

xxxbobxxx said:
Yup, and we lost an instructor from our locker room too. Two other fatalities here, two at heavenly. The community is pretty beat up right now.

Yes that was awful. One of my NU Grad sons and several grandchildren were in the Lake Tahoe area skiing that day. Until we made phone connection, it was fearing the worst and hoping for the best.

CatManTrue · Feb 26, 2026

Purple Pile Driver said:
They aren’t going to Indiana.

Do you care to revise that statement?

Hammond is closer to Soldier Field than their new lot of land in Arlington Heights.

Indiana is giving them way more money and will be easier to deal with.

Ladies and gentlemen… say hello to your Hammond Bears!

Purple Pile Driver · Feb 26, 2026

CatManTrue said:
Do you care to revise that statement?

Hammond is closer to Soldier Field than their new lot of land in Arlington Heights.

Indiana is giving them way more money and will be easier to deal with.

Ladies and gentlemen… say hello to your Hammond Bears!

No

CatManTrue · Thursday at 10:26 PM

Purple Pile Driver said:
No

Warren said the Bears will decide in the next 3 months.

Unless the fine State of Illinois is willing to cough up $2B to keep them, they Gone, Baby, Gone.

Bears plan to make stadium decision by late spring or early summer

Bears moving to Indiana? 😆

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