Economic Club of Chicago: Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren Discusses Future Plans

Sean Connolly, CEO of ConAgra Foods, shared a fascinating conversation with Kevin Warren, President and CEO of the Chicago Bears, at the Sheraton Ballroom recently. Hundreds gathered, clad in their navy and orange jerseys, to hear the man behind one of the NFL’s most storied franchises share his thoughts on the team’s future and the approaches that have contributed to its enduring success.

A New Lakefront Stadium on the Horizon

In a wide-ranging discussion about his upbringing, career, and the philosophies guiding his leadership, Warren found himself face-to-face with the pressing question: the status of the team’s negotiations for a new lakefront stadium. In an effort to address this hot topic, Warren explained:

“To have an ownership group commit to over $2 billion in private money. And I’m not being funny or joking when I say this: I have searched tall and wide to find out the last time that a private entity, a family-owned business, committed $2 billion on a project that would be collectively owned from a public-private partnership. It hasn’t happened,” Warren said.

This groundbreaking proposal for a state-of-the-art fixed-roof stadium would see the team contribute $2 billion to cover over 70% of the total cost.

Lakefront Stadium: Pros and Cons

While Mayor Brandon Johnson enthusiastically supported a new lakefront stadium, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s press secretary issued a statement on behalf of his office, saying the idea of constructing a new stadium was a “non-starter for the state” unless a “demonstrable and tangible benefit to the taxpayers of Illinois” could be demonstrated.

Bears’ Ambitions and Community Focus

In his speech, Warren revealed his visions for the potential lakefront stadium, stating:

“We’ve never hosted a Super Bowl. We’ve never hosted a Final Four. I watched the game this weekend between USC and LSU that [Ryan Poles] was there scouting. They had more fans at that game than they did at the Super Bowl,” Warren said, highlighting Chicago’s missed opportunities for massive events.

He stressed the need for collaboration and emphasized his willingness to work with the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Red Stars soccer teams, “to be able to work with the multiplicity of the different sports organizations.” The White Sox have submitted a stadium proposal for “The 78” site in the South Loop.

“What we need to do is stop looking at what we don’t have in Chicago. Let’s put our assets on the table and figure out what we do have and how we can come together. Make this city even stronger than it already is, make it a better place, to create an incredible revenue stream for Chicago and allow us to be the greatest city on the planet,” Warren said, outlining his ambitious plans.

Bears Talks Ongoing, Community Benefits

Warren also emphasized the ongoing negotiations for a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights and highlighted his focus on creating a state-of-the-art stadium not just for the team, but also for the local community. He emphasized that the potential lakefront stadium would serve as a spot where:

“I live downtown, and the only time I go to Soldier Field is for a Bears game, a Fire game, a concert, but that should be a place that we should be able to go eat and enjoy a beautiful kind of lakefront, enjoy downtown,” he said, outlining his dream for an inclusive and dynamic environment for all ages, from youth sports to seniors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kevin Warren’s speech presented a fascinating glimpse into the Chicago Bears’ future, highlighting ambitious plans for a new lakefront stadium that would transform the city. As negotiations continue, and the fate of the lakefront stadium hangs in the balance, one thing remains clear – the Bears and their fans are committed to making their mark on Chicago’s landscape.

FAQs

• Q: What is the proposed plan for the Chicago Bears’ new lakefront stadium?
  A: The proposal includes a $2 billion private investment and a publicly-owned stadium located along the lakefront in Chicago.
• Q: What does the Governor think about the proposal?
  A: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has expressed hesitation, stating the idea needs to demonstrate “demonstrable and tangible benefits to the taxpayers of Illinois.”
• Q: Who else is working with the Bears on a stadium proposal?
  A: The Chicago White Sox, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Red Stars soccer teams have been mentioned as potential partners.