The Bears will talk to fans about their new stadium this week, but they won’t ask them where they’d like to see it. The team confirmed Tuesday that it will hold focus groups about its next home, but according to the Chicago Tribune, the team won’t ask fans whether they prefer the city or the suburbs.
The team did not respond to questions about the content of their focus groups.
Last year, the Bears purchased 326 acres in Arlington Heights in hopes of building the team’s next stadium there. Just over a year later, however, new team president and general manager Kevin Warren confirmed that the organization had shifted its focus to building a new stadium in downtown Chicago. In April, he revealed plans for that stadium, and earlier this month, he confirmed that the downtown plan was still the team’s primary focus.
“I still think it’s the most beautiful property in the country, where the lake meets the architecture,” Warren said during a preseason game broadcast.
During that same show, Warren left the door open for the Bears to eventually move to the suburbs if the team can’t reach a deal with the city.
“We are the largest landowner in Arlington Heights. We own 326 acres, which still represents an opportunity.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says plans to build a stadium south of Soldier Field are doomed due to funding issues.
