The Chicago Bears officially set their sights on the Hoosier State.
Following stalled legislative negotiations in Illinois, the NFL franchise’s Board of Directors voted to move forward with a multi-billion-dollar stadium development project in Hammond, Ind.
While an exact site has not yet been identified, the team released a joint statement from Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey and President and CEO Kevin Warren confirming the strategic shift across state lines.
“We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city,” the statement reads. “It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses.”
The Bears have pledged $2 billion in private funding toward the construction of the new facility. Hammond is located just over 20 miles south of the team’s current home at Soldier Field, making it a geographically viable option to retain the Chicago market while operating under Indiana’s business and tax framework.
The move toward Northwest Indiana comes immediately after the Illinois General Assembly adjourned its spring session without passing legislation establishing local stadium authorities for Chicago or Arlington Heights. Such a measure would have allowed the team to avoid heavy property tax responsibilities by leasing a publicly owned stadium.
Indiana lawmakers, conversely, have actively courted the historic franchise. In February, the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved an amendment to Senate Bill 27, which establishes the framework for a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority. The proposal signaled a willingness to commit up to $1 billion in public funding to finance, construct and lease a stadium.
However, the exact tax mechanisms to fund it remain under development.
Indiana officials quickly praised the Bears’ board vote. Gov. Mike Braun welcomed the announcement, having previously touted the state’s appeal for corporate development. Earlier in June, Braun noted that the franchise deserved “a place that runs like Indiana, triple-A credit rating, where you get a lot more stadium built for the money you’re going to invest, where you’ve got friendly guidelines to have a business.”
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. echoed that sentiment, stating the Bears recognized the area as “a successful city of opportunity and possibility, an excellent choice for such a significant investment.”
Despite the vote, officials across the border maintain that the battle for the Bears is not over. The team has spent the last few years exploring a $197 million property in suburban Arlington Heights and a nearly $5 billion proposal on the Chicago lakefront before pivoting to Indiana.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stated that the board’s vote is “not surprising,” emphasizing that the relocation is far from finalized.
“Without a final site selection, until we see shovels in the ground in Hammond, the City will continue to engage in discussions grounded in the interests of our residents,” Johnson said.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle also confirmed that discussions with the franchise are ongoing, noting a commitment to finding solutions that protect taxpayers while keeping the team in Illinois.
At this time, the Bears’ focus remains on Northwest Indiana. The franchise continues to keep the NFL advised of the developments, as any final relocation and stadium site selection will ultimately require league approval.
Contact multimedia & senior sports reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
