On Monday, Chicago Bears president George McCaskey announced the layoffs of general manager Ryan Pace and former head coach Matt Nagy at a press conference.
In keeping with Bears postseason press conference customs, things didn’t exactly go according to plan. McCaskey’s remarks gave Chicago sports radio and Twitter plenty to talk about.
With that said, McCaskey revealed a forthcoming alteration in the company’s organizational framework, a decision that may be seen favorably by some.
The new general manager may now report directly to McCaskey rather than President Ted Philips, as has been the standard practice. This change is due to Philips’ increased focus on the team’s goal of acquiring Arlington Park and relocating to Arlington Heights.
Phillips stated on Monday that the group is only considering Arlington Heights for a potential transfer and not looking at any other locations.
He said:
There is no comparable location in Chicagoland, so we are unable to predict the potential prospects. Nevertheless, we are hopeful that by reaching an agreement, we can transform it into an exceptional destination.
and went on:
We are currently unsure of the exact timeline due to the property not being officially acquired. If we are unable to secure the property, the expected outcomes may not come to fruition. However, we are enthusiastic about the possibility of Arlington Heights transforming into a diverse entertainment center, which has the potential to significantly improve its standing.
Despite having a purchase agreement with Churchill Downs for the land, the team still has a substantial amount of work ahead of them.
McCaskey described the opportunity as a promising long-term prospect with great potential for the Bears. However, he noted that the team has not yet secured the property and that some inquiries are premature.
How the price of Arlington Park came to this
Churchill Downs, the owner of Arlington Park, listed the property for sale at the beginning of 2021. The majority of the time following the listing was dedicated to the purchasing process.
There were potential buyers who showed interest in continuing horse racing at Arlington Park, but Churchill Downs’ actions suggested they had no plans to preserve the sport at the venue.
Churchill Downs, the owner of Rivers Casino Des Plaines, Illinois’ most renowned casino located on expansive state grounds, faces potential risks from the close proximity of the casino to Arlington Park, less than a 30-minute drive away. The presence of any form of gambling in such close proximity could pose a threat to Churchill Downs.
Rivers then went on to become the official casino partner of the franchise. It was later disclosed that the Bears had submitted a bid for the property. Several months later, Churchill Downs and the Bears reached a purchase agreement.
If the agreement is completed, the company will incur a cost of $197.2 million for the area.
Does you place a wager on Bears’ upcoming head coach or general manager at an Illinois sportsbook?
Bears fans only have to look forward to the team, a new coach, and GM, while other NFL teams are gearing up for the playoffs.
However, there are currently no job openings available for these positions at authorized sportsbooks in Illinois.
BetMGM Sportsbook indicates that Brian Flores, the former Dolphins head coach, is the frontrunner for the coaching job in Illinois. They provide a range of coaching options that may potentially be open in the state.
- + 160 Brian Flores
- Leslie Frazier: 500 +
- + 600 Brian Daboll
- + 700 Jim Harbaugh
- Doug Pederson: 800-
- Leftwich, Bryon: + 1,000
- Todd Bowles: 1, 000
BetMGM is available in the neighboring states of Indiana, Michigan, and Iowa.
Chicago is conducting interviews with a diverse group of GMs and head coaches. The Bears’ potential hiring of a general manager could greatly impact the outcome of these interviews.
