Punching Bag Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 (edited) Lori Lightfoot Addresses Potential Bears Move to Arlington Park https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nbcsports/lori-lightfoot-addresses-potential-bears-move-to-arlington-park/2504755/ Quote During a press conference Thursday, Lightfoot was asked about the Bears flirting with the idea of a move to Arlington Park. “I've seen a couple of reports. But a couple of data points that I think you should be aware of are the Bears have a lease with Soldier Field until 2033 and the NFL doesn't let any teams break their leases,” Lightfoot said. There may be ways to break lease legally - Rams did it - the right clause and conditions need to occur. Quote Lightfoot was also asked if she believes the Bears are revisiting the idea of potentially relocating as leverage to boost capacity in Soldier Field. “I think it's incumbent upon us as a city to step up and look at ways in which we can make sure that Bears fans, but also the Bears as an organization, have the best opportunities to maximize the fan experience and of course, maximize revenues. So we're going to keep those conversations going,” Lightfoot said. I cannot see them holding parcel until Bears can find an out clause however. Edited May 8, 2021 by Limeaid typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1ManRaid Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Does this affect a game we play there or something? I'm not sure what to do with this information. Also you ended the post on an incomplete sentence with a comma, and the cliffhanger is killing me so I can only assume you forgot to include the parts that are relevant to the Bills. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 2 minutes ago, 1ManRaid said: Does this affect a game we play there or something? I'm not sure what to do with this information. Also you ended the post on an incomplete sentence with a comma, and the cliffhanger is killing me so I can only assume you forgot to include the parts that are relevant to the Bills. General football stuff is appropriate here. Not limited to relevant to the Bills. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 16 minutes ago, 1ManRaid said: Does this affect a game we play there or something? I'm not sure what to do with this information. Also you ended the post on an incomplete sentence with a comma, and the cliffhanger is killing me so I can only assume you forgot to include the parts that are relevant to the Bills. Fixed comma typo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bferra13 Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Meh. Either way. But probably just a power play by the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorin' Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Gross, that could be a two hour drive from Chicago in Bears traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Did they not just overhaul Soldier Field completely? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Joe, Correct. They spent $655 mil. overhauling the stadium so I seriously doubt they are moving anytime soon. Personally, I wish the Bills would do the same thing as the negative repercussions to moving to downtown or wherever will suck. That’s just my opinion and I know this has been discussed to death so I’ll shut up as it relates to the Bills. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 What is it about the Bears stadium location that is suddenly a problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in Chicago Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 9 hours ago, Motorin' said: Gross, that could be a two hour drive from Chicago in Bears traffic. Depends on where the majority of ticket holders live. For suburbanites, this can be an easier drive. But downtown does offer the benefit of using public transportation such as the Metra and the L. For those unaware of the Chicago-land area, Metra service radiates out from downtown so you can use it easily from the 'burbs. OTOH, if you want to reach Arlington Heights, you need to be close to at least one, best case 2 lines to make it even partly viable. 3 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: What is it about the Bears stadium location that is suddenly a problem? Likely that it is early posturing by the Bears: ------------------------- “I've seen a couple of reports. But a couple of data points that I think you should be aware of are the Bears have a lease with Soldier Field until 2033 and the NFL doesn't let any teams break their leases,” Lightfoot said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 11 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said: Depends on where the majority of ticket holders live. For suburbanites, this can be an easier drive. But downtown does offer the benefit of using public transportation such as the Metra and the L. For those unaware of the Chicago-land area, Metra service radiates out from downtown so you can use it easily from the 'burbs. OTOH, if you want to reach Arlington Heights, you need to be close to at least one, best case 2 lines to make it even partly viable. Likely that it is early posturing by the Bears: ------------------------- “I've seen a couple of reports. But a couple of data points that I think you should be aware of are the Bears have a lease with Soldier Field until 2033 and the NFL doesn't let any teams break their leases,” Lightfoot said. The article talks about problems with the location of Soldier Field and something about "capacity". What are the issues at this point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in Chicago Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 36 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: The article talks about problems with the location of Soldier Field and something about "capacity". What are the issues at this point? I have no idea. Maybe they are expecting Fields to be great and hence needing more capacity 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 3 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said: I have no idea. Maybe they are expecting Fields to be great and hence needing more capacity 😀 Looks like the Bears are looking for some sort of (new) renovation to increase capacity. Not much info. Only comments are from the Lightfoot and the doofus suburban Mayor ("derpa derpa a smart lawyer can get you out of a lease"). I also like how they describe a location 30 miles from the city as "and easy commute" for city residents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 21 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said: I have no idea. Maybe they are expecting Fields to be great and hence needing more capacity 😀 https://www.kapow.com/blog/sports/10-fun-facts-soldier-field/#:~:text=Soldier Field is the oldest,renovation increased capacity of 61%2C500. Quote The field was officially dedicated on November 27th, 1926 for the Army v. Navy national championship game. Played in front of a crowd of 110,000 people, the game ended in a 21-21 tie—but Navy got the trophy because they were undefeated. Capacity has gone up and down. It got a lot smaller for NFL (need room for facilities, box seats, etc.) and then renovated to add more. Chicago Cardinals played there first. Bears did not start playing there until 1971. There are some height restrictions in area. Quote Soldier Field has the second smallest stadium in the NFL, even after a 2003 renovation increased capacity of 61,500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorin' Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Fan in Chicago said: Depends on where the majority of ticket holders live. For suburbanites, this can be an easier drive. But downtown does offer the benefit of using public transportation such as the Metra and the L. For those unaware of the Chicago-land area, Metra service radiates out from downtown so you can use it easily from the 'burbs. OTOH, if you want to reach Arlington Heights, you need to be close to at least one, best case 2 lines to make it even partly viable. As a North Sider, I've had to drive out to Arlington Heights a few times. In pre-pandemic traffic it was a good 1.5 hours. I'm trying to imagine people driving from the south suburbs... Metra would have to really up their service to accommodate Bears fans, it's once an hour schedule wouldn't cut in on game days... Delilah's or Lincoln Station? Edited May 8, 2021 by Motorin' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie's Dead Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 The commute to a stadium in Arlington Heights is going to be a bizzatch. Da Bears should stay where they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsfaninChicago Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Soldier Field’s tailgating atmosphere is horrible. There is next to nothing around the stadium, you risk getting an open container ticket pretty much anywhere you go. As for Arlington Heights the only thing I know is they have a race track which serves excellent Bloody Marys. I would say that is an upgrade right there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 2 hours ago, BillsfaninChicago said: Soldier Field’s tailgating atmosphere is horrible. There is next to nothing around the stadium, you risk getting an open container ticket pretty much anywhere you go. As for Arlington Heights the only thing I know is they have a race track which serves excellent Bloody Marys. I would say that is an upgrade right there! Which is why Buffalonians can’t appreciate how good they have it in OP. I’ve been to sooo many newer stadiums including my current hometown in Tampa which is a beautiful stadium, but it’s not Bills mafia. You guys are very blessed for what you have and why I spend over $1000 every year to bring my kids up for a game albeit in September. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cba fan Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 8 hours ago, Mr. WEO said: What is it about the Bears stadium location that is suddenly a problem? It is not the location, it is the smallest capacity in NFL that is hurting Bears income. And likely a lease that is not as lucrative as Bears would like. The rebuild was poor thinking. MOrders were save collandes and have them outside stadium. Should have buried one sideline row of the colonnades inside stadium so footprint could be bigger. This would have allowed more seats for higher prices on sidelines instead of weird ratio of seats behind end zone line compared to normal stadiums. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cba fan Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 5 hours ago, Freddie's Dead said: The commute to a stadium in Arlington Heights is going to be a bizzatch. Da Bears should stay where they are. https://www.playillinois.com/bears-to-arlington-heights-chatter/ commute not really a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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