Roger Goodell reacts to Bears' possible relocation |
The Chicago Bears announced last week that they have put in a bid to purchase the 326 acres at the Arlington International Racecourse.
This was a shock to fans as the Bears are contemplating a future move out of Soldier Field near downtown Chicago and to the Arlington Heights suburb. NFL commish Roger Goodell was on 670 The Score on Wednesday giving his honest reaction on the news surrounding the Bears' future home. “I don’t know the answer to that question other than to know this is a really early stage to develop potentially an alternative,” Goodell said. “But I think a lot has to be done here. I know their commitment to the Chicago area is 110%, and that’s the most important thing to me. We have a long lease at Soldier Field. It’s a great place. But we’re all looking to the long term and trying to look at alternatives, and that’s what the Bears are doing. Goodell knows that all of this talk is very premature for fans. "But I think for fans right now, I wouldn’t be focused on that. There’s a lot that has to go into this. Right now, let’s enjoy the ‘21 season. A lot of excitement for the Bears.” Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips released the following statement at the time of the bid: "We recently submitted a bid to purchase the Arlington International Racecourse property. It's our obligation to explore every possible option to ensure we're doing what's best for our organization and its future. If selected, this step allows us to further evaluate the property and its potential." Currently, Soldier Field is the smallest stadium in the NFL, with only a capacity of just 61,500 and the Bears have signed a lease until 2033.
