In June, the Chicago Bears revealed that they submitted a bid to acquire the Arlington International Racecourse, which was listed for sale by Churchill Downs in February.
It is probable that the Bears will relocate from Soldier Field to Arlington Heights in order to construct a massive sports stadium and entertainment complex on the 326-acre site.
The expected potential move is already creating rifts within the fan community, sparking criticism from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot towards the team.
Churchill Downs is considering selling the land, and there are multiple potential buyers expressing strong interest. Will they accept the Bears’ offer?
Play Illinois will continue to provide the most up-to-date information and commentary as the history is revealed.
most recent information regarding the potential Arlington Bears
The most recent update occurred on September 29th.
The Chicago Bears are considering a move to Arlington Heights, as reported by The Athletic on Tuesday night. This decision follows the team’s recent purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse.
Soldier Field and Chicago Park District fight over activities gambling
The Chicago Bears wanted to bring sports betting to Soldier Field, but the Chicago Park District did not agree to the NFL team’s proposal.
Churchill Downs submits an application for & rsquo’s 22 racing dates.
Despite Arlington Park currently being on the market, Churchill Downs has unexpectedly applied for racing dates at the track for 2022.
Tribes will not be held in Arlington in 2022, but there is a chance that there may be gradual changes for potential attendees in the future.
Important new details about non-Bears buyer
Today, we are more acquainted with the potential buyer interested in purchasing Arlington Park.
Below is an update regarding Glenstar Properties, which has submitted a bid to acquire the land. According to The Daily Herald, Glenstar has been associated with Neil Bluhm, a key partner of Churchill Downs, since 2005.
During the 1980s, Bluhm was barred from purchasing around 20% of the Bears. We will look into whether this has any implications for the current situation.
For Arlington, the Bears face rivals.
According to Crain’s Chicago Business, Glenstar Properties and UrbanStreet Group, both reputable local development companies, have submitted bids to acquire the track.
Given their past development efforts, it is conceivable that they are considering hosting a race at the location, although the specifics of their intentions remain unclear.
According to recent reports, it would be simple for Bears to terminate their rent on Soldier Field.
The Bears’ lease for Soldier Field was reviewed by the Chicago Tribune, which found it would cost around $84 million. This amount, though significant, is much lower than the $2.2 billion cost of building newer stadiums.
Illinois Governor According to JB Pritzker, the express won’t pay for a new Bears facility.
At a press conference on June 28, Governor JB Pritzker was questioned about the possibility of Illinois providing funding for a new Bears stadium, either in Chicago or elsewhere.
We are not currently looking into that. From my perspective, personal business decisions are definitely being made.
Pritzker stated his desire for the Bears to stay in Chicago, but his remarks were not as strong as those made by Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
The sellers of the property are concerned about its future. I have enjoyed attending Bears games at Soldier Field for years. Personally, going to Soldier Field to watch the Bears has brought me joy for as long as I can remember, and I hope to continue doing so for years to come.
The community committee of Arlington Heights votes to approve the Bears stadium’s appropriate zoning.
It is expected that the Arlington Heights Village will support the Bears’ decision to relocate to the cities.
On June 21, the board approved a zoning draft for an overlay, clearing the final regulatory hurdle for building a stadium in Arlington Heights. The property owner, Churchill Downs, will still need to choose the Bears’ proposal.
Bears appoint BetRivers as their standard sportsbook.
The Chicago Bears announced a partnership with Rivers Casino and the BetRivers sports betting app on June 22. While this may have seemed unrelated to the situation in Arlington Heights at first, further examination suggests a potential connection.
Churchill Downs is contemplating selling the racetrack, in part because it holds a majority ownership in Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. The close proximity of Rivers Casino and Arlington International, just a 20-minute drive apart, is a factor in this decision.
As a result, Churchill and Rivers are presently collaborating in business, with Rivers serving as the chosen game and sportsbook partner for the Bears.
This transaction definitely adds fuel to the fire.
Read the latest Chicago betting news and Bears odds at Play Illinois.
History of the Bears’ relocation to Arlington International
The Bears are currently playing at Soldier Field, situated on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago. Although there were rumors that they might terminate the agreement early, their contract is scheduled to end in 2033.
If the Bears moved to Arlington Heights, they would probably be able to compete in high-profile events like the Super Bowl, Final Four, World Cup, and more.
If the Bears were to relocate to Arlington Heights, they may have the opportunity to include a retractable roof, a feature that is currently lacking in their current stadium.
A Metra coach stops directly in Arlington Heights, which is approximately a 50-minute journey from the city. Some people believe that moving to the suburbs wouldn’t be much more inconvenient than dealing with the usual traffic problems at Soldier Field.
Chicago has been hosting its games at Soldier Field since 1971. Should the Bears decide to move to Arlington Heights, it would bring about a major shift in football in the Chicagoland region.
