Goodell Meets Illinois Lawmakers to Keep Bears in State as Stadium Cost Rises $150 Million a Year
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports · Aug 14
Goodell Meets Illinois Lawmakers to Keep Bears in State as Stadium Cost Rises $150 Million a Year
3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Aug 14
Summary
Roger Goodell privately met a few Illinois lawmakers on Thursday in an effort to keep the Chicago Bears in the state as the team weighs a new stadium site.
Kevin Warren said the Bears' “sole focus” is Hammond, Indiana, but the league commissioner's outreach underscored Illinois' continuing push to retain the franchise.
A projected $150 million annual increase in stadium costs adds urgency and also raises doubts about Hammond, where a real buildout likely would already be underway if it were the firm choice.
The talks leave Arlington Heights and possibly Chicago still in play, with the Bears remaining at Soldier Field until a final stadium solution emerges.