Chicago Bears say HQ, training facility would not be part of stadium deal in Indiana
Last week, the mayor of Hammond said the NFL franchise had been talking about moving “Halas Hall, everything” to Indiana.
NFL
Bears stadium bill would mean millions in tax increases, impact statement shows
The precise cost of the project is unknown at this time though the Chicago Bears have committed $2 billion and public funding could total $1 billion.
After Indiana gambit, Bears signal progress in Illinois
The back and forth comes as the team tries to advance legislation in two states without making public comments that could sour relationships or scuttle talks on either side of the border.
Pritzker ‘surprised, dismayed and very disappointed’ as Bears tout Indiana progress
The governor said his staff, legislators and Bears representatives met Wednesday for three hours to discuss legislation that might be needed for the team to build a stadium in Arlington Heights.
UPDATE: Bears zero in on Hammond site as committee prepares to vote on new stadium language
The moves come with just more than a week left in Indiana’s legislative session and as Illinois lawmakers consider legislation meant to keep the NFL team in that state.
Illinois governor says Bears’ Indiana gambit is real — and talks are moving
Gov. JB Pritzker said there is “a lot of discussion, a lot of ongoing conversation with the Bears” to try to keep the team playing in Illinois.
Adam Vinatieri, Drew Brees headline NFL Hall of Fame class missing Bill Belichick
Vinatieri was one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history and quarterback Brees made the Pro Bowl 13 times in his career.
ESPN closes deal for NFL Network, rights for RedZone
ESPN acquired NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel. The league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.
NFL Flag Championships to be played at Grand Park
The third annual NFL Flag Championships are expected to draw more than 350 youth flag football teams and thousands of spectators to Westfield.
The Chicago Bears, Indiana and the math behind NFL stadium deals
Professional sports experts say past NFL stadium deals might offer Indiana lawmakers a few clues to what a Lake County deal could mean for both the team and the state.
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza officially declares for NFL Draft, could be No. 1 pick
Mendoza led Indiana to a 16-0 season and the school’s first national football championship with a 27-21 victory against the University of Miami on Monday night.
UPDATE: Key lawmaker wants Bears commitment before finalizing stadium bill
Gov. Mike Braun told IBJ on Thursday that he hopes more concrete developments regarding the Chicago Bears’ potential move to northwest Indiana could come “within 10 days or a couple weeks.”
Legislative committee sends amended Bears stadium bill to full Senate
The vote came after little discussion and no testimony—no one from the public signed up to talk about the bill.
Illinois governor says Soldier Field debt not all on the Bears
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the debt “is not the core issue” in making a deal to keep the Bears in Illinois.
Arlington Heights to Illinois lawmakers: Pass megaproject bill or wave goodbye to Bears
“The team has been clear that at this point their choices are either the Arlington Heights site, or Indiana,” the mayor of Arlington Heights wrote in the letter to state officials.
Greg Hinz: The Bears’ Indiana feint may be paying off—in Arlington Heights
Suddenly, the Illinois folks are optimistic, almost bubbly about prospects of finalizing an Arlington Heights deal.
Indiana positions itself to attract Bears as Braun prepares for second State of the State address
The governor is expected to address the Bears situation during his speech Wednesday night, although the Governor’s Office is keeping specifics—and the names of the guests it has invited to the event—under wraps.
Mayor: Bears could save ‘hundreds of millions’ by moving to Indiana
“I think that they seriously are considering Indiana,” Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott said on Inside INdiana Business this week. “I really feel that way.” He cited the state’s property tax system as a key reason.
Gov. Braun says he’ll work to build Chicago Bears a stadium in northwest Indiana
In an open letter on the team’s website, CEO Kevin Warren said the Bears will expand its search for a stadium site to a larger region that will include Indiana.
NFL mulls changes to improve officiating, ‘increase accountability’
The NFL is seeking to implement changes to its procedures for how it pays, evaluates, trains and communicates with its game officials, the league told its teams in a memo Wednesday.