Bears Open Letter Signals Pivot on Arlington Park Stadium Financing
Open Letter Overview
President and CEO Kevin Warren publicly addressed the Chicago Bears stadium project, explaining the team's refusal to seek state construction funding while requesting targeted infrastructure support and property tax certainty to secure financing for Arlington Park as previously proposed[3].
Why the Project Is Shifting
Warren emphasized project timelines, job creation, and year-round economic activity but said legislative inaction in Illinois forced the organization to evaluate broader Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana options, noting the team remains committed to delivering a world-class venue for fans and players[1][3].
Implications and Next Steps
The letter signals a strategic pivot: the Bears are prepared to consider alternative sites, engage other jurisdictions, and pursue partnerships that provide predictable infrastructure commitments so the franchise can advance planning, preserve financing certainty, and protect long-term community benefits if a final Illinois agreement cannot be reached[1][4].
About the People Mentioned
Kevin Warren
Kevin Fulbright Warren is an American attorney and senior sports executive who currently serves as the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). [1][9] He began his NFL front-office career with the St. Louis Rams in 1997 and was part of that organization when it won Super Bowl XXXIV; he later held executive roles with the Detroit Lions before joining the Minnesota Vikings in 2005. [1][6] At the Vikings he advanced to executive vice president of legal affairs and chief administrative officer and in February 2015 was promoted to chief operating officer (COO), becoming the first African-American COO in NFL history; in that role he oversaw business operations, stadium development work for U.S. Bank Stadium and broader organizational strategy. [1][4] In 2020 Warren was appointed the sixth commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, the first Black leader of any Power Five conference, where he led conference expansion to 16 schools (including UCLA and USC) and negotiated a major media-rights package for the conference. [1][3] He left the Big Ten to join the Chicago Bears as team president and CEO in January 2023, taking responsibility for both football and business operations. [1][9] Warren’s career combines legal training (J.D., Notre Dame Law School) with business and sports management experience; he has worked as an attorney, sports agent, and NFL executive and has served on multiple boards and advisory councils. [5][6] He has been recognized for leadership on diversity and community initiatives—founding the Big Ten Equality Coalition while commissioner and receiving awards for humanitarian and diversity work. [2][5] As of his tenure with the Bears, Warren remains a prominent executive shaping franchise strategy, stadium and business development, and league-level diversity efforts. [9][2]
About the Organizations Mentioned
Chicago Bears
The **Chicago Bears** are a historic professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois, and one of the NFL's charter members, founded in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys before moving to Chicago in 1921 and adopting their current name in 1922[1][2][7]. They compete in the NFC North division and have a significant legacy marked by **nine NFL championships**, including eight pre-Super Bowl NFL titles and one Super Bowl victory in 1985 (Super Bowl XX), making them second only to the Green Bay Packers in total championships won[1][3][4]. The Bears are renowned for pioneering contributions to the game, including being the first NFL team to buy a player from another team in 1922 and playing in the first NFL indoor game in 1932[1]. Their dominant era was notably under the leadership of George Halas—nicknamed "Papa Bear"—who was a founder, player, coach, owner, and general manager. Halas coached the team in four separate stints over nearly five decades, amassing 324 victories, a record that stood for 27 years, and shaping the Bears into a football powerhouse[1][2][6]. Under his guidance, the Bears won multiple championships in the 1940s, including the legendary 73-0 victory over the Washington Redskins in 1940, a record for the largest margin of victory in NFL history[1][2][6]. The Bears have produced 39 Hall of Fame players, hold the record for the most retired jersey numbers (14), and have the most members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (29), underscoring their historical and cultural impact on the sport[3]. They also innovated offensive strategies, developing the T-formation offense that revolutionized the quarterback position and offensive play[3]. Although the Bears have struggled in recent decades with sporadic playoff appearances and fewer winning seasons, they remain a storied franchise with
