It’s been rumored for months, but the Chicago Bears dropped a bombshell this afternoon, officially announcing a bid to buy the Arlington International Racecourse property.
The statement from Bears President & CEO Ted Phillips says “It’s our obligation to explore every possible option to ensure we’re doing what’s best for our organization and its future. If selected, this step allows us to further evaluate the property and its potential.”
From the Bears’ perspective, this makes sense. At 61,500 seats, Soldier Field is too small for a modern NFL stadium. And because it lacks a roof, Chicago can’t host major events like a Super Bowl or NCAA Final Four.