Tag: stadium

Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears president Kevin Warren looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Bears expand stadium options, include Arlington Heights

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A year after stating the goal of building a new stadium on the Chicago lakefront, the Bears are now saying an Arlington Heights, Ill., location is back on the table, team president and CEO Kevin Warren said Wednesday.

Warren made the assertion at the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

The Bears bought a 326-acre property in Arlington Heights in 2021 that was expected to include a multibillion dollar stadium project with restaurants, retail space and real estate. Over the summer of 2023, however, the team said those plans were “at risk” due to stalled negotiations over property taxes.

Instead, in April of 2024 the Bears unveiled plans for a new state-of-the-art domed stadium with the intention of building it on the museum campus in Chicago near the team’s current site at Soldier Field.

On Wednesday, Warren said the final decision will include both of those locations.

“The focus now is both downtown and Arlington Heights,” Warren said Wednesday. “One thing about Arlington Heights, I always try to look for the positive elements. To have that beautiful piece of land that has great topography — you can actually see downtown from there. To have the Salt Creek that runs in between it, it’s almost split equally from an acreage standpoint. And you think of the Metra spots, it has an Arlington Park location there.”

“… Arlington Heights is, I keep going back to it, it’s an absolutely fantastic piece of land. I thank George and his family for having the foresight.”

Although the team has said construction of the stadium will be privately funded, concerns arose in Arlington Heights regarding how much of the cost of the infrastructure around the stadium would be put on taxpayers.

Warren noted “progress” in Arlington Heights, where in December the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to settle the annual property tax bill for the Bears’ potential stadium site at $3.6 million.

“These are not linear processes or projects. They take time, they take a lot of energy and effort,” Warren said. “I am very, very pleased with where we are. I think we, collectively as a group, are where we thought we would be.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was not concerned at how long the Bears’ stadium decision is taking.

“It’s an important issue for the community and the team,” Goodell said from the annual meetings, per the Chicago Sun Times. “It’s not uncommon for it to be a two-year discussion. They started very early — their lease isn’t up (until after the 2033 season). Those discussions, you expect are going to be thorough. There are going to be twists and turns through that process. And then you get to the process of having to actually build once you make those decisions, ultimately. There’s a lot to do.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Cleveland Browns helmet during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Report: Browns owners commit $2 billion for new stadium

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns took a major step toward playing in a new retractable-roof stadium by 2028 after owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam committed $2 billion to make the venue happen, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The team posted a video with an artist’s rendering of the new stadium and surrounding property, which will be built in nearby Brook Park, Ohio, near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The team’s lease at their current stadium, near downtown Cleveland and on the edge of Lake Erie, is set to run through 2028. The team moved into the venue in 1999.

“The Cleveland Browns and our community need and deserve a new home — and from the outset we have been unequivocal that it must positively benefit our community and Northeast Ohio,” the Haslams said in a statement. “The proposed Huntington Bank Field in Brook Park meets this vital objective and will reflect positively on our world-class region and its promising future. It also reflects our 100 percent commitment to keeping the Browns in their home market for generations to come.”

The Browns have made the playoffs just three times since the franchise was reestablished in 1999. They were 3-14 in 2024 while giving starts to four different quarterbacks, including Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston for seven games apiece.

The previous version of the Browns franchise played at Cleveland Stadium from 1946-95.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam walks on to the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Browns plan to leave Cleveland, build domed stadium in suburbs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns plan to leave their lakefront stadium in the city for a domed field in suburban Brook Park, Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb said Thursday.

Bibb called a news conference to announce that Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam informed him Wednesday night of their intention to locate the franchise elsewhere. The two sides had been working toward drafting an agreement to renovate Huntington Bank Stadium, which opened in 1999 on the shores of Lake Erie in the city’s downtown.

“The Haslams’ choice to move the team away from the city is frustrating and profoundly disheartening,” Bibb said. “Over the past three years this administration made relentless efforts to craft solutions that advance HSG’s (Haslam Sports Group) objectives and long-term interest of our residents and the broader community.”

The Browns proposed a public-private partnership to pay for $1 billion in renovations to the current stadium, with each side paying half. Cleveland.com reported Bibb offered $367 million plus funding for future maintenance, but the Haslams chose Brook Park instead.

Bibb apparently wasn’t going to budge if a proposal wasn’t in the best interests of the people of Cleveland.

“Haslam Sports Group may want a roof over their heads, but it is my responsibility as mayor of great city to ensure Cleveland residents have a roof over theirs,” Bibb said.

A statement issued Thursday afternoon by the Haslams said Brook Park offers the Browns — and the region — the best option.

“We have had positive, productive, and collaborative dialogue with the Mayor and his staff, working together to find the optimal long-term solution for our stadium,” the Haslams said.

“We pursued many possibilities, with our initial focus on renovating the current stadium and engaged design, construction and engineering experts to develop a plan to do so. We also explored building a new stadium on multiple sites, both within and outside of Cleveland. We’ve learned through our exhaustive work that renovating our current stadium will simply not solve many operational issues and would be a short-term approach. With more time to reflect, we have also realized that without a dome, we will not attract the type of large-scale events and year-round activity to justify the magnitude of this public-private partnership. The transformational economic opportunities created by a dome far outweigh what a renovated stadium could produce with around ten events per year.”

The Browns are proposing to build a domed complex in Brook Park, a suburb about 15 miles southwest of Cleveland and near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The estimated cost is $2.4 billion, and the Haslams said they favor to split the cost with the public through the sale of bonds.

“With the funding mechanisms we continue to work on, this stadium will not use existing taxpayer-funded streams that would divert resources from other more pressing needs,” they said. “Instead, the over $2 billion private investment, together with the public investment, will create a major economic development project that will drive the activity necessary to pay the public bond debt service through future project-generated and Browns-generated revenue.”

The office of Cuyahoga County executive Chris Ronayne — the county includes both Brook Park and Cleveland — issued a brief statement on his behalf Thursday, saying Ronayne “has made his position clear: the Browns stadium should remain Downtown. Today he is focused on the business of Cuyahoga County and cheering for a Guardians win tonight (over the New York Yankees).”

Bibb said Cleveland will listen if the Brook Park site falls through.

“My team and I stand ready to re-engage with the Haslams if the Brook Park option does not prove viable,” he said.

“And should the Haslams reconsider, we are ready to return to the table and continue working towards a solution that keeps the Browns in the city that has stood by them for decades, and decades, and decades — Cleveland, Ohio.”

Under former owner Art Modell, the Browns left Cleveland before the 1996 season and relocated to Baltimore, with Modell dissatisfied with the conditions at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Under an agreement with the NFL, Modell was granted a new franchise, which became the Ravens, with the Browns name and franchise history remaining in Cleveland.

What now is known as Huntington Bank Field was built by the city and opened in 1999, the year the Browns returned to the NFL.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view of a logo painted on the sideline to honor the memory of former Chicago Bear and Hall of Famer Dick Butkus before a game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Bears lay out controversial $5B stadium proposal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Chicago Bears are looking to build a new stadium, and they need nearly $5 billion to do so — but not everyone is in favor of the plan.

Chicago released a proposal for a domed stadium on Wednesday, with $3.2 billion earmarked for the stadium itself and another $1.5 billion for infrastructure.

The team announced that it would put more than $2 billion toward the stadium project. According to the Chicago Tribune, to make up the rest, the Bears would seek $300 million from the NFL and would ask the state of Illinois to borrow $900 million, which would be paid back by Chicago’s 2 percent hotel tax.

The plan didn’t sit well with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“I remain skeptical about this proposal, and I wonder whether it’s a good deal for the taxpayers,” Pritzker said. “There are a lot of priorities that the state has, and I’m not sure that this is among the highest priorities for taxpayers.”

Non-profit group Friends of the Parks, which focuses on Chicago’s Lakefront Protection ordinance, also criticized the plan, writing in a statement, “As is so often the case in Chicago, the powerful and wealthy are demanding that our entire city stop and fast track their plans to expand operations on the people’s lakefront.”

However, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson attended the Bears’ press conference announcing the proposal, which he called a “crown jewel.” He added, “This project will result in no new taxes on the residents of Chicago.”

The Bears’ new home would be located on the edge of Lake Michigan — just like Soldier Field, Chicago’s current stadium — and would add green and open space to the city’s lakefront while also providing better access to the Museum Campus.

“This is an incredibly, incredibly special day for the Chicago Bears,” Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement on Wednesday. “For the City of Chicago, for the state of Illinois, for our ownership, for our players, for our coaches, for our staff members, for the alumni and for our incredible Chicago Bear fans.

“Today is about progress, and one of the things that I am most excited about today is the fact that this shows that in this city we have the intellectual capabilities, we have the heart, we have the passion, we have the foresight, we have the wisdom, we have the vision to do big things.”

In addition to 14 acres of athletic fields for youth sports programs and park space for the general public, there could also be a publicly owned hotel near the site of the new stadium.

Fans would get to experience attractions indoors and outdoors, and there would also be a plaza that features restaurants and retail stores.

“This is not an easy project, but Chicago doesn’t like it easy,” Warren said.

–Field Level Media

Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general overall aerial view of Arrowhead Stadium (foreground) and Kauffman Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs, Royals ponder future after voters reject stadium tax

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The Chiefs and Royals are questioning their futures in Kansas City after voters rejected the extension of a sales tax that the teams said would have assured they remain in the area.

Voters in Jackson County, Mo., voted no Tuesday on the ballot measure that would have kept a three-eights-cent sales tax for stadium financing in place for the next 40 years. The measure failed 58.1 percent to 41.9 percent.

The two teams have played at the Truman Sports Complex for more than 50 years — the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium since 1972 and the Royals at Kauffman Stadium since 1973. The Royals want to build a new downtown stadium, and the Chiefs want to make extensive renovations at Arrowhead.

“We respect the democratic process, we respect the voters of Jackson County and the results of the election,” John Sherman, the Royals’ owner, said Tuesday night. “We’re deeply disappointed, as we are steadfast in our belief that Jackson County is far better off with the Chiefs and the Royals. This is a belief I both hold professionally and personally, as someone whose roots run deep in this town.

“We will take some time to reflect on and process the outcome and find a path forward that works for the Royals and our fans.”

Approval of the sales tax extension would have helped fund both a new Royals stadium and the Arrowhead improvements.

Sherman has said ownership of the Royals would contribute at least $1 billion to replace Kauffman, the sixth-oldest stadium in baseball. Clark Hunt, owner of the Chiefs, pledged $300 million toward $800 million for upgrades at Arrowhead, the third-oldest in the NFL.

“We’re disappointed,” Chiefs team president Mark Donovan said. “We feel we put forth the best offer for Jackson County. We were ready to extend the longstanding partnership the teams have enjoyed with this county.

“We will do, and look to do, what is in the best interest of our fans and our organization as we move forward.”

A variety of community groups in Kansas City had come out against the proposal, saying the burden was too high on taxpayers and ownership needed to do more.

“Two billion dollars in taxpayers money, man, could do a hell of a lot to develop our community,” said Michael Savwoir, a leader of KC Tenants, speaking to local Fox4 on Tuesday night. “The billionaires don’t finance my follies. Why should I finance theirs?”

Royals ownership previously said the team won’t play at Kauffman Stadium past 2030. It is expected other communities will reach out to both clubs to discuss relocation. Kansas City, Kan., has been floated as a possibility for the Chiefs.

The mayor of Kansas City, Mo., Quinton Lucas, said he is ready to go back to the drawing board with the teams.

“The people of Kansas City and Jackson County love the Chiefs and the Royals,” Lucas wrote on social media. “Today, they rejected plans and processes they found inadequate. Over the months ahead, I look forward to working with the Chiefs and Royals to build a stronger, more open, and collaborative process that will ensure the teams, their events and investments remain in Kansas City for generations to come.”

One mayor already has reached out to the Chiefs via social media. That’s Dallas mayor Eric L. Johnson, who reportedly has told local radio shows that he’d like another team to join the Cowboys in his city. The Chiefs played in Dallas before relocating.

“Welcome home, Dallas Texans! #CottonBowl,” Johnson wrote.

–Field Level Media

The Bears are reportedly planning to build a new dome near the current site of Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Bears focus on new lakefront stadium

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Potentially punting plans for a move to the suburbs, the Chicago Bears are focused instead on building a new stadium near the current site of Soldier Field on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The Bears face hurdles, including an ordinance that blocks building projects on the lakefront, but are hoping to use a site south of their current stadium to build a billion-dollar multi-use dome with more than $2 billion contributed by the team. A lease for Soldier Field, which is part of Chicago’s museum campus, runs through 2033.

“The Chicago Bears are proud to contribute over $2 billion to build a stadium and improve open spaces for all families, fans and the general public to enjoy in the City of Chicago,” Bears team president and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement to ESPN. “The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region — boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega events and generating millions in tax revenue. We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized.”

Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson confirmed the two sides are discussing the project.

“I have said all along that meaningful private investment and a strong emphasis on public benefit are my requirements for public-private partnerships in our city. The Chicago Bears’ plans are a welcome step in that direction and a testament to Chicago’s economic vitality,” he said Monday.

The Bears purchased a 326-acre property in Arlington Heights in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago and investigated building the multi-purpose stadium at the site, which was formerly the home of Arlington International Racecourse, a horse racing venue.

Soldier Field has the smallest capacity of all 32 home stadiums in the NFL at just over 61,000.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; General view of Highmark Stadium prior to the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Bills ready to break ground on new stadium

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Buffalo Bills are ready to break ground “immediately” on their new stadium.

The Erie County (N.Y.) Legislature voted unanimously to approve the $1.54 billion project Thursday.

The new facility, located across the street from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, is set to open in 2026.

“We want to thank Governor (Kathy) Hochul, the County Executive and all of our public partners for bringing this process to a successful conclusion,” said Bills executive vice president and COO Ron Raccuia.

“All of the legal agreements and public-private partnerships with the county and the state are signed. There are no more documents. All the focus is now on construction and the opening of the stadium, which will start immediately.”

The team also said it is moving forward on the final design elements for the state-of-the-art, open-air stadium.

–Field Level Media

Nissan Stadium will be replaced as home of the Titans by 2027.

Nashville approves Titans’ new stadium for 2027 opening

Posted on | by Field Level Media

More than $1 billion in public funding pushed the Tennessee Titans’ bid for a new, fully enclosed stadium across the finish line on Wednesday.

Metro Nashville Council gave the final green light with a vote of 26-12 on Wednesday. The Metro Nashville Sports Authority, the owner and landlord of both the current and new stadium, unanimously granted stadium approval on April 4.

“For more than 25 years, Nashville, Tennessee, has been the Titans’ home, and with the approval of the new stadium agreement, we are grateful to know the Titans will be a part of this great city and state for decades to come,” said Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk in a statement on Wednesday. “I remember the early days of our time here feeling all the promise and opportunity ahead, and I feel that same enthusiasm and excitement again today. We are thankful for the support of Mayor Cooper, Metro Council, the Sports Authority, the State of Tennessee, and most importantly, the people of Nashville and Tennessee as we all embark on this new chapter together.”

With the city agreement comes a new, 30-year lease and non-relocation agreement between the Titans and the MNSA.

The Titans will contribute up to $48 million over the life of the lease to the Nashville Needs Impact Fund, a fund providing public education, public transit, affordable housing, and several other areas.

“Tonight is a huge win for Nashville taxpayers,” Nashville Mayor John Cooper said. “We’ve eliminated a billion-dollar liability created by an aging stadium lease and created a platform for the city to thrive for decades. This was always about more than football. This vote unlocks the East Bank Vision for Nashville’s next generation. It enables a true smart growth plan for the decades ahead. It will expand our transit network, create affordable housing, build parks and civic space, activate the waterfront, and drive resilience and sustainability.”

Groundbreaking for the stadium project on the East Bank of Nashville is scheduled for early 2024 with the first events to be held in 2027.

–Field Level Media

A formation of F-16 fighter jets fly over David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium before the start of Saturday's game against Iowa State.

Kansas reveals plans for $300M football facility overhaul

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The University of Kansas unveiled plans Friday to renovate its football stadium and facilities beginning early next year.

The school is planning significant upgrades to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and the Anderson Family Football Complex.

The project will be financed mostly through private sources and premium seating sales. While Kansas officials didn’t disclose the cost, multiple reports said it will be more than $300 million.

Kansas said its leaders have sought paths “to generate revenue for academic programming and spur regional economic growth” in recent years. Support for the Jayhawks’ normally weak football program is currently high following a 5-0 start; ESPN is hosting this Saturday’s “College GameDay” broadcast from Lawrence for the first time.

“This project is unmatched in its vision to benefit a broad range of KU constituents while signaling a new era for Kansas Football,” athletic director Travis Goff said in a statement. “Once complete, this project will ensure our football program has the facilities it needs to compete at the highest level and provide the best-possible game day experience for student-athletes and fans. Moreover, we are thrilled this project goes beyond football to benefit the entire university and the regional economy.”

No. 19 Kansas hosts No. 17 TCU (4-0) on Saturday.

–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

Bears say new suburban stadium would be enclosed

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Chicago Bears confirmed that a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights would be domed — if it ever gets built.

The team released a statement Tuesday updating the status of its proposed purchase of the former Arlington Park horse racing track.

“We envision a multi-purpose entertainment district anchored by a new, best-in-class enclosed stadium, providing Chicagoland with a new home worthy of hosting global events such as the Super Bowl, College Football Playoffs, and Final Four,” read the statement, in part.

The team cautioned that “much remains to be decided,” including the exploration of alternative stadium sites as well as renovations to Soldier Field.

The Bears signed a purchase agreement last September for the 326-acre property in Arlington Heights, located about 30 miles northwest of Soldier Field.

“We remain under contract to purchase the property, but there are conditions that must be met in order to be in a position to close,” the statement said. “If we do close on the property, it does not guarantee we will develop it.”

Construction of the proposed project would create 48,000 jobs and make a $9.4 billion economic impact on the region, according to the team.

The Bears have planned a community meeting on Thursday in Arlington Heights to discuss their plans.

The team said it will honor the terms of its lease with Soldier Field, which runs through 2033. The Bears have an option to break the lease with the Chicago Park District as soon as 2026 at a penalty of $84 million.

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

The conditions of the playing surface at Soldier Field were sharply criticized by NFL Players Association president JC Tretter during the preseason. The field had patches of missing grass and big divots following a rock concert.

–Field Level Media