How the Bears leaving Soldier Field could benefit Chicago

The Chicago Bears and Soldier Field. Since 1971, they've gone together like giardiniera and Italian beef. But, after the Bears announced they officially closed on a 326-acre property in Arlington Heights, the team could be leaving their longtime home. While the loss of the Bears might be a blow to Chicago's identity as a sports town, there are potential benefits to the team's relocation.

Why the Bears departure from Soldier Field isn't all bad news

With loss comes opportunity. When the Bears eventually decide to vacate Soldier Field, the city could benefit by hosting more non-football events. Hosting large concerts and events year-round could actually increase revenue for the Park District, which their contract with the Bears has limited.

The city's working group, appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, has proposed ideas to modernize the area in and around Soldier Field and make it more attractive to event planners. Friends of the Parks Executive Director, Juanita Irizarry, hopes that Soldier Field can host more concerts each year, taking the burden off of other neighborhood parks for big musical events. “A review of the Park District budget over the past few years would reveal that the Park District has actually been growing its revenue in terms of using Soldier Field for more events that are non-football events, and there’s more potential there,” Irizarry said. “But the limitations that have been imposed by a contract with the Bears have really gotten in the way of further growth of that revenue. So we think this would be a great chance to look at that.”

Increased tourism through redevelopment

The Soldier Field site is located along the lakefront, which is a valuable public resource. The site could be transformed into a new public park or cultural attraction. These amenities could attract tourists and locals alike, generating revenue and boosting the local economy. Making the lakefront facilities more attractive to visitors could also generate revenue for the city through property taxes and lead to new jobs and business opportunities for Chicagoans.

Like any breakup, watching the Bears move on with another suitor will be painful. But, we should remember the city has many other attractions that draw tourists from around the world. If the Bears leave, the city could shift its marketing efforts to highlight other cultural and recreational offerings, potentially attracting new visitors and generating revenue for local businesses.

A boon for Bears fans

The Bears moving on from Soldier Field could be a major upgrade for fans. No more shivering in the cold as icy wind from the lake blasts through the stadium. The proposed Arlington Heights dome will offer warmth and upgraded amenities and technology that will enhance the game-day experience.

The stadium relocation could also reduce traffic and parking issues in downtown Chicago on game days, which would be a positive for both residents and visitors. By making the games more convenient and enjoyable, the Bears can attract new fans and grow their market share across the country.

Bigger and better national events

A domed stadium in Chicagoland could also attract more high-profile events, such as the NCAA Final Four, and the Super Bowl, which could generate additional revenue for the city as people pass through our airports, hotels, and city to attend.

The decision to relocate the team is still being determined, and all aspects of the move must be carefully considered and weighed against the potential benefits and drawbacks. Nonetheless, there are potential upsides to the Bears leaving Soldier Field, and with careful planning and community input, the city could find new opportunities for growth and development.