The Bears announced on Thursday that they submitted a bid to purchase Arlington International Racecourse in the Chicago . Mike Ditka gives his thoughts on the Chicago Bears potential move to Arlington Heights. In a battle of mayors, the mayor of Arlington Heights, Tom Hayes, isn't backing down. Throughout the franchise’s history, the Bears have never exactly had a home to call their own. That season, the Bears played their home games at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium in Champaign. The Bears could leave Soldier Field and Chicago for the suburbs. More than half of the league’s teams (19) have moved into new stadiums since 2000. Normally, the Bears signing a sponsorship with a casino wouldn't be huge news, but the fact that they just signed a deal with the company that will be picking the winning bid for the 326-acres of land that the Bears want definitely makes this notable. Mike Ditka believes Bears belong to Chicago. A potential move by the Bears from the . The Metra Rail and South Shore Rail Line stop at nearby McCormick Place, but neither offers closer access to the stadium. Don't buy the Bears leaving Soldier Field just yet. This also is not the first time the Bears have shown an interest in relocating, either, as the team struggles with the challenges of calling the NFL’s oldest stadium home. Ideally, the Bears would probably prefer to stay at Soldier Field, but that won't be easy or cheap. Uber is the preferred ride of the Chicago Bears. One of the primary arguments Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot made was that the Chicago Bears had no realistic way out of the lease they signed on Soldier Field. The Georgia Dome was newly built for the 96 Olympics and destroyed after the 2016 season. Chicago owes it to their loyal fanbase to seek alternative solutions. The Chicago Bears leaving Soldier Field has been talked about for decades, but it's never really felt quite as real as it has the last couple weeks. Found inside – Page 354Navy Pier , Soldier Field , Meigs Field Map'area Grand Avenue CHICAGO A Common ... whether or not to raze Soldier Field if the Chicago Bears decide to leave ... Stadium policies and safety enhancements compliant with all NFL health and safety recommendations were implemented at Soldier Field over this past season, including the creation of a Stadium Infection Response Team. For the 101 years of the Chicago Bears' existence, two subjects have been constants: quarterbacks and home stadiums. Soldier Field is an American football and soccer stadium located in the Near South Side of Chicago, Illinois, near Downtown Chicago.It opened in 1924 and is the home field of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL), who moved there in 1971, and Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). Only two Chicago Transit Authority buses make stops at Soldier Field, while the closest the trains can get you is within walking distance from Grant Park. The Arlington Heights village board approved a zoning change this week that will allow a football stadium to be built on the 326-acre chunk of land that the Bears made a bid for back on June 17. Hey guys, it's FaizIn today's video, I give you guys my thoughts on if the Chicago Bears should move out of Solider fieldUSE MY PROMO CODE "FAIZ" AND GET 5% . The Bears have a lease with Solider Field that runs through 2033, but that isn't stopping some from dreaming big. CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- When his anticipated and slightly awkward return to Soldier Field was over, former Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was one of the last to leave for the locker room. In reality getting out of a lease in any situation is just a matter of money. there's a good chance they'll end up leaving Soldier Field . There are public transportation options, but each has its pros and cons. . Soldier Field. "I think it's incumbent on us as a city to step up and look at ways in which we can make sure that the Bears fans, but also the Bears as an organization, have the best opportunities to maximize the fan experience and, of course, maximize revenues," she told FOX 32. It behooves the Arlington Heights mayor and the people . A potential move by the Bears from the lakefront stadium has been picking up steam in recent weeks, after the team announced a bid to purchase Arlington International Racecourse. That's why it's coming up in discussions for the Bears, but also why the idea of the team moving should be met with skepticism. Found inside – Page 325First, my father, who watched all those games with me in the 1970s and '80s; the same goes for the friends who were by my side at Soldier Field and on the ... "It has so much going for it in terms of its location in the northwest suburbs where a lot of their audience is.". The franchise recently bid on the Arlington International Racecourse property, which is located approximately 30 miles from Soldier Field in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka, who also led the Bears to a Super Bowl victory as head coach, said he opposes the Bears talks of leaving Soldier Field and building a new stadium in the suburbs . One of the primary arguments Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot made was that the Chicago Bears had no realistic way out of the lease they signed on Soldier Field. that the Bears made a bid for back on June 17. As many fans will attest to, Soldier Field is known to be one of the best places to catch live entertainment around town. But the Bears told Mayor Daley the following day that the city's plans to remodel Soldier Field were not . As for Soldier Field, the downtown location is a challenge from a parking standpoint. Gabe covers the NFL, college football, and soccer for Athlon. The Bears will want to stay at Soldier Field and Chicago will definitely want to keep them there. Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot recently addressed the rumors by throwing shade at the Bears. For the Chicago Bears, one of the league's most storied franchises, coming off a draft where they maybe selected the most important Chicago athlete since Michael Jordan, now is the time to think big. Soldier Field Seating Chart Details. But a move away from the heart of downtown Chicago to Arlington Heights could offer fans more options to get to the Bears’ new stadium. An $84 million charge wouldn't be particularly significant . Found inside – Page 55The Saints fans who traveled to Soldier Field in Chicago for that playoff game were greeted with heckling from Bears fans that evoked images of Katrina in ... In 1971, the Bears moved to Soldier Field, which is owned by the Chicago Park District, and have been there since, except when the stadium was under renovation in 2002. 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