Bears President Ted Phillips Gives Update On Arlington Park Quest

The layoffs of general manager Ryan Pace and former head coach Matt Nagy were announced at a press conference by Chicago Bears president George McCaskey on Monday.

As per tradition with Bears postseason press conferences, it didn’t exactly go smoothly. McCaskey provided plenty of material for Chicago sports radio and Twitter.

That being said, McCaskey announced a future change in the corporate structure, a move that some people might view as positive.

The new general manager might now report directly to McCaskey instead of President Ted Philips, as was previously the norm. The reason for this change? Philips is currently focusing more on the team’s ambition to purchase Arlington Park and move to Arlington Heights.

Phillips confirmed on Monday that the group is currently not considering any other locations for a potential transfer. At this point, it’s either Arlington Heights or nothing.

He said:

“There is nothing else like it in Chicagoland. As a result, we haven’t even started to imagine what the prospects might be. However, we are optimistic that if we reach an agreement, we can move forward in making it a fantastic destination site.”

and went on:

We are once again uncertain about the precise timing as the property has not yet been officially acquired. If we fail to secure the property, the anticipated perceptions will not materialize. Nevertheless, we are excited about the potential of Arlington Heights becoming a multifaceted entertainment hub, which I believe could greatly enhance its reputation.”

Even though the team has a purchase agreement with Churchill Downs for the land, there is still a significant amount of work to be done.

McCaskey referred to the opportunity as “an excellent, long-term prospect with high potential for the Bears.” However, he also emphasized that the team hasn’t acquired the property yet and that some inquiries are too early.

How the price of Arlington Park came to this

Churchill Downs, the owner of Arlington Park, put the record up for sale at the start of 2021. Most of the subsequent time was spent in the process of purchasing.

Some potential buyers were interested in maintaining horse racing at Arlington Park. However, judging by its actions, it can be inferred that Churchill Downs had no intention of preserving horse racing at the venue.

Churchill Downs owns Rivers Casino Des Plaines, the most famous casino in Illinois, which is situated on a large state property. Rivers is less than 30 minutes drive from Arlington Park. Any form of gambling in such close proximity could potentially harm Churchill Downs.

Rivers then proceeded to become the official casino partner of the franchise. It was later revealed that the Bears had placed a bid on the property. A few months down the line, a purchase agreement was reached between Churchill Downs and the Bears.

Should the agreement be finalized, the area will cost the company $197.2 million.

Does you place a wager on Bears’ upcoming head coach or general manager at an Illinois sportsbook?

All Bears fans have to anticipate is the team, a future coach, and GM, while some NFL teams are preparing for the playoffs.

Nonetheless, there are no lines open for these positions at authorized sportsbooks in Illinois.

BetMGM Sportsbook suggests that Brian Flores, the recent head coach of the Dolphins, is the clear favorite to secure the job in Illinois. They offer a variety of coaching levels, which could ultimately be available in Illinois.

• + 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 offered in the nearby states of Indiana, Michigan, and Iowa.

Interviews are being conducted by Chicago with a varied group of GM and mind coaches. The hiring of a general manager, which is a common practice, by the Bears may significantly alter these possibilities.