Chicago Should Include An Illinois Sportsbook To Proposed Soldier Field Renovations

The Chicago Bears have undergone numerous changes this offseason.

They first dismissed GM Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy, then appointed Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus to take over their respective roles.

The Bears also dealt Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The City of Chicago and Mayor Lori Lightfoot are striving to ensure that the Bears continue to call Soldier Field home, a tradition that has been in place since 1971.

The city recently disclosed details and simulated images of potential renovations to the historic stadium.

The primary residents of Soldier Field dictate each option, as the Chicago Fire also considers it home and will continue to stay there irrespective of the decisions made by the Bears. This is a crucial point to consider, especially since the Bears signed a purchase agreement for the Arlington Park Racecourse in September.

The team spent $197.2 million on this 326-acre racecourse, which is situated roughly 30 miles northwest of Soldier Field.

An Illinois sportsbook at Soldier Field should’ve been proposed

Sports betting is rapidly gaining popularity across the United States, particularly in the Land of Lincoln where it has significantly taken off.

In March last year, sports betting in Illinois reached a single-month record of $971 million.

The partnership element of the situation is already resolved, as the Bears have already partnered with BetRivers Sportsbook.

Additionally, constructing a retail sportsbook outside of a stadium is completely legal. This has been demonstrated by the Chicago Cubs and DraftKings who have begun construction of a sportsbook outside Wrigley Field. This venue, capable of accommodating 1,000 bettors, will feature both a walk-up counter for placing bets and kiosks. It is set to be the first sportsbook to be built outside a sports venue in Chicago.

If the Bears proceed with this plan, they would have a sportsbook outside the stadium, regardless of whether they relocate to Arlington Heights or remain on the lakefront.

Rivers would also welcome this plan, especially after its recent proposal to build a casino in Chicago was overlooked in favor of Bally’s casino.

3 options for Soldier Field renovations

1. Refashion each end zone with pillars that are capable of supporting a dome, allowing the entire stadium to be completely enclosed.
2. Refurbish each end zone with pillars to prepare the stadium for a dome.
3. Transform Soldier Field into a multi-purpose stadium that is better equipped for soccer, and increase its adaptability to accommodate major concerts and various other events.

The city hopes that the Bears will choose to renovate Soldier Field and stay there instead of moving to Arlington Heights. There is a lease agreement between Chicago and the team that lasts until 2033. If any party breaches this agreement, they will be liable for an $84 million cost.

Proposed renovations to Soldier Field for the Bears

The city laid out these highlights of possible renovations if the Bears chose to stay:

• Fully enclosed dome
• Increase the seating capacity to 70,000 from the current capacity of 61,000, which is the lowest total of any NFL stadium.
• Increase the number of suites by seven, bringing the total to 140.
• Currently, Soldier Field has no major club and experiential areas. Construct six of them.
• Increase the square footage of the food and beverage area from 50,000 to 200,000.
• Enhance opportunities for sponsorship and naming rights
• Build up to four multi-purpose/event spaces with capacities ranging between 5,000 and over 60,000.

The city of Chicago presents one advantage to the Bears to remain, suggesting that renovating Soldier Field could be more economical than constructing a brand new Arlington Heights stadium. The cost of renovation is estimated to be between $900 million and $2.2 billion, potentially making it a more cost-effective choice.

SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas both opened in 2020. The former cost $4.9 billion to construct while the latter was built at a cost of $1.9 billion.