Tag: Soldier Field

Aug 14, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view of the exterior of Soldier Field before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Soldier Field thieves nab $100K in equipment

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Thieves made off with more than $100,000 worth of equipment from the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field earlier this week, ABC 7 Chicago reported Friday.

According to stadium staff, thieves tore down a security fence sometime overnight on Wednesday in order to drive lawn mowers and utility vehicles out of a parking structure.

It’s a distraction the 0-2 Bears definitely don’t need in a week that saw defensive coordinator Alan Williams resign for personal reasons and quarterback Justin Fields suggest that overcoaching has contributed to his poor results.

Things don’t get any easier this weekend as Chicago visits the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Aug 13, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, left, and general manager Ryan Poles walk off the field after the Bears defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 19-14 at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

NFLPA president JC Tretter rips condition of Soldier Field

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NFL Players Association president JC Tretter sharply criticized the conditions of the playing surface at Chicago’s Soldier Field after the Bears defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 19-14 on Saturday.

The field had patches of missing grass and big divots, apparently due to a recent Elton John concert held at the facility.

The concert was held Aug. 5 and left damage the entire length of the field.

“The NFL said that this field met minimum testing standards,” Tretter said on Twitter. “We clearly need to re-evaluate what is an acceptable surface for players to compete on. We need new testing metrics looking at the performance and safety of every field. The NFL can and should do better.”

The Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer previously announced it will play its Aug. 21 against New York City FC at nearby SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill., “due to the expected field condition at Soldier Field from a series of planned events at the venue.”

First-year Bears head coach Matt Eberflus defended the field conditions.

“I’m new here so I don’t know the situations, but I know the guys are trying to do their best, and the playing surface was passed by the NFL for us to be on,” Eberflus said. “I thought it was firm and it was good, so that’s where we’ll leave it at.”

Chicago quarterback Justin Fields has seen the turf troubles before.

“I mean, it’s kind of always been like that,” Fields said. “It definitely was better than the family fest (on Tuesday). I’m just glad it was better than it was earlier this week because it wasn’t the best. The grass could definitely be better for sure.”

Soldier Field is the oldest stadium in the NFL and has been the Bears’ full-time home since 1971. The facility opened in 1924.

However, the franchise reached agreement last September on a purchase agreement to build a new facility in Arlington Heights, located about 30 miles northwest of Soldier Field.

Tretter, a center, was released by the Cleveland Browns in the offseason. The 31-year-old has played in 111 games (90 starts) in eight NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2014-16) and Browns (2017-21).

–Field Level Media

Dec 13, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; In this drone image, a general view of Soldier Field with the Chicago skyline before a game between the Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans the at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago unveils plans to put roof over Soldier Field

Posted on | by Field Level Media

In an effort to keep the Chicago Bears along the shore of Lake Michigan, the city has proposed a $2.2-billion makeover to historic Soldier Field, which would be the second major enhancement to the venue in the last two decades.

Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot revealed plans to turn Soldier Field into a domed stadium in order to enhance the current home of the Bears, as well as the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer.

A portion of the price tag would be paid for by selling the naming rights to the stadium, although any deal with require it to still be seen as a war memorial and likely still have “Soldier” somewhere in the new name.

“We need to invest in Soldier Field. Soldier Field must be a year-round destination,” Lightfoot said Monday. “We must enhance the fan experience. And that’s precisely what we aim to do.

“We are making a compelling case for the Bears to stay in Chicago. They want a Tier One stadium to maximize revenues and we agree.”

News has circulated for years that the Bears could be on the move to a new stadium in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Ill. That venue would be built at the sight of the former Arlington Park race track, which was closed in 2021 and slated for redevelopment.

In September of last year, the Bears signed a purchase agreement to acquire the property for just shy of $200 million. In March, the Bears hired an architecture firm to come up with stadium plans.

But the Bears’ lease at Soldier Field runs until 2033, and while they have the chance to break the lease in 2026, it would come with an $84 million penalty, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The Bears have played at Soldier Field since 1971 after moving there from Wrigley Field. The Fire played there from 1998-2005 before moving to a more intimate stadium in the Southside suburbs, but they returned in 2020.

A Soldier Field renovation that started in 2002 ended up with a $632 million price tag, temporarily forcing the Bears to move to Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on the campus of the University of Illinois, for the 2002 season.

–Field Level Media

Aug 14, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view of the exterior of Soldier Field before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Chicago poised to examine dome for Soldier Field

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A city committee is likely to convene in Chicago soon to explore the possibility of putting a dome on Soldier Field, Crain’s Chicago Business reported.

A dome could make the nearly century-old stadium more desirable for the Chicago Bears and other potential users, if it is economically and architecturally viable. The Bears signed a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Ill., and could build a stadium complex there.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in February that adding a dome could be considered as part of the work done by her Lakefront Museum Campus Working Group, which is reimaging the area around Soldier Field.

Crain’s said a draft of a soon-to-be-released report prepared by the group said a dome could cost anywhere from $400 million to $1.5 billion and likely would require public financial assistance.

In addition to a dome, the city could consider a variety of structural changes to Soldier Field, including “substantially rebuilding” parts of the stadium, per Crain’s. Selling naming rights also could be under consideration.

“We’re going to continue to do everything we can to keep the Bears in Chicago,” Lightfoot said in an interview on WSCR-AM 670 in February. “We’re working on some plans to present to them that I think will make a very, very compelling financial case as to why it makes an abundance of sense for them to stay in Chicago.”

Soldier Field is owned by the Chicago Park District. With 61,500 fans, it has the lowest capacity in the NFL.

It opened in 1924. The next-oldest stadium in the league is Lambeau Field in Green Bay, which dates to 1957.

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Bears logo is seen prior to a game against the New York Jets at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Bears sign purchase deal for property at Arlington Park

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Chicago Bears took a significant step toward leaving their longtime home at Soldier Field.

The Bears and Churchill Downs Inc. announced Wednesday they have signed a $197.2 million purchase and sale agreement (PSA) for the 326-acre property in suburban Arlington Heights, Ill.

“Finalizing the PSA was the critical next step in continuing our exploration of the property and its potential,” Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips said. “Much work remains to be completed, including working closely with the Village of Arlington Heights and surrounding communities, before we can close on this transaction.

“Our goal is to chart a path forward that allows our team to thrive on the field, Chicagoland to prosper from this endeavor, and the Bears organization to be ensured a strong future. We will never stop working toward delivering Bears fans the very best experience. We will continue to provide updates on our progress at the appropriate time.”

Churchill Downs Inc. said it is expecting to close the deal in late 2022 or early 2023.

The Bears have called Soldier Field their home since 1971. Their lease runs through 2033, although the Chicago Tribune reported the team could break the lease by paying a fee of $84 million as early as 2026.

Soldier Field also has the smallest capacity of any NFL venue at 61,500.

“I could not be more excited about the news that the Chicago Bears have signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement to buy the Arlington Park property in our community,” Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said. “My goal for any redevelopment has always been to put this prime piece of real estate to its highest and best use, and I can’t think of a higher and better use than this one.

“There is a long way to go as we begin this journey, and many issues for the community to discuss, but the Village is committed to working with the Bears organization and all stakeholders to explore this opportunity for Arlington Heights and the northwest suburban region.”

–Field Level Media