BREAKING: Chicago Bears Submit Bid To Buy Arlington International Racecourse

Written By Joe Boozell on June 17, 2021
bears arlington park bid

The Chicago Bears and NBA may decide to relocate to Arlington Heights upon all.

The team announced on Thursday that they have submitted a bid to buy Arlington International Racecourse, following months of apparent speculation.

Churchill Downs put Arlington up for sale earlier in the year. The Bears have a lease to play at Soldier Field until at least 2033. However, they appear to think they can end the contract if needed.

This could also be a strategy employed by The Bears to negotiate improved conditions for their existing lease.

However, if the offer was greater, it could be assumed that Churchill Downs might have been tempted to present it to the Bears, depending on the specifics of the offer.

Fans of the Bears, a new era might be approaching.

The Bears may want to relocate to Arlington Heights for what reasons?

Firstly, building a larger complex would allow the Bears to host larger events.

Should the Bears construct a facility in Arlington Heights comparable to that of the Minnesota Vikings’, they would undoubtedly be taken into account for hosting championship matches, final stages, etc. However, at present, Soldier Field is not being considered in these deliberations.

“Bear Weather” would no longer exist.

The 326-acre Arlington International property presents a chance for the capital and the Bears to possibly construct a comprehensive entertainment district surrounding the new stadium. Although the current Soldier Field location benefits significantly from its lakefront position, it is largely secluded from other businesses.

Located in Chicago, Soldier Field may not be easy to access, but the proposed relocation to Arlington Heights, while possibly causing some complaints from spectators, is not as complicated as it appears.

The Bears are trying to buy a property that can be directly accessed from a Metra train stop. Arlington Heights is about a 50-minute train ride from Chicago.

What could cause Churchill Downs to offer to the Bears?

The sale of Churchill Downs has sparked considerable controversy. However, analysis of the situation indicates that the main objective is to prevent the potential establishment of a casino or racino on the premises in the future.

This is because Churchill Downs, which holds the majority shares of Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, is accused of implementing anti-competitive strategies. Given that Rivers and Arlington are only about 20 minutes’ drive from each other, the allegations have been raised.

However, the cost of the Bears may be appealing to all parties.

While there is a theoretical possibility of the Bears incorporating a sportsbook into their new stadium, it would not encompass a full casino or horse racetrack. Consequently, asserting that a Bears stadium would impact Rivers Casino becomes a difficult argument to make.

The relocation of the Bears to the suburbs may also be highly appreciated by Arlington Heights.

“The prospect of having a professional sports team is exhilarating,” expressed Tom Hayes, the Mayor of Arlington Heights. “Furthermore, their presence could stimulate further redevelopment opportunities.”

Arlington Heights has directed the purchase towards a racino. However, presuming that city leaders could envision bringing an NFL franchise to the town without knowledge of the offer terms would be speculative.

The team at Play-illinois.com will persist in providing you with the most recent updates on this story.

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Boozell, Joe

Since 2015, Joe Boozell has been a college sports writer for NCAA.com. His articles have also appeared on Bleacher Report, FoxSports.com, and NBA.com. During his younger years, Boozell competed in the Chicagoland basketball scene against well-known players like Anthony Davis and Frank Kaminsky, the specifics of which can only be speculated.

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