Bears, bonds and budgeting: Where do things stand with Indiana’s pursuit of the Chicago Bears?

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5 thoughts on “Bears, bonds and budgeting: Where do things stand with Indiana’s pursuit of the Chicago Bears?

  1. “The people using the facility are going to be the ones paying,” Huston said. Really? I doubt that. With ticket prices what they are most average folks can’t afford to buy one let alone seasons tickets. I like football and hope for Hammond that it works out but I am very much opposed to using tax dollars to fund these Stadiums and the teams owned by billionaires.

    1. I get what you’re saying but at the same time you have to look at PRO FRANCHISES as Fortune 500 companies and as a economic development for an area. Basically this stadium will bring 1000’s of construction jobs for not just the stadium but other developments around the stadium for decades. Then 100’s of permanent jobs in retail, restaurants, hotels, and other supporting businesses around the sports district. So Da Bears and the locals will have skin in the game and both entities would benefit from this development over time. It’s a win win for both parties when looked at from a business and economic standpoint. NWI could use the boost of economic development considering there’s nothing else major besides the casino. The area is part of Chicagoland metro anyways. So I can see why local leaders are pushing hard for this deal to become a reality. Just makes sense to be honest.

    2. Kevin, all the property, income, and sales taxes are taken and slurped away to pay for the stadium. It’s a gamble that a pro football team that has 10 games a year (12 at most) is going to generate enough economic activity to make up for the other 350 days when there remains a competing stadium right there in downtown Chicago.

      I’d feel much more comfortable if legislators put into the law that shortfalls in making the bond payments would be covered by automatic tax increases that take out of their hands the option to cut services, like education. We already aren’t willing to invest in the infrastructure needed if we’re messing with the Toll Road lease yet again.

  2. JOE B, you forget that these venues have events all year around. Lucas Oil host multiple sporting events, music concerts, WWF Wrestling, conventions and trade shows ect ect. Just think if Indy didn’t have The Colts or Pacers? There’s an extremely intelligent argument to be made at why it’s important for major cities to have a major pro franchise. Look at Louisville, they can only dream of having the opportunities Indy get for having the facilities to host the major events Indy has yearly. Look at the economic BOOM seen in Nashville because of sports as well as their music seen. The new Nissan stadium will be the most expensive in NFL history. Don’t dismiss the relevance of major sport franchises and their stadiums have on a community. What’s the trade off for downtown Indy if we didn’t have it is the question?

    1. I’m not forgetting anything. You’re neglecting to consider that a stadium in Hammond would be additive and in competition to what already exists in Chicago, unlike what happened in Indianapolis when events just shifted to the new venue because it was a couple blocks away and they demolished the old one. That hasn’t been the case for any of these new NFL stadiums.

      In Chicago, a stadium in Hammond will be competing against Soldier Field AND an existing convention center in downtown Chicago.

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