Bears Playing Both Sides

They better not get a single taxpayer dime from this bull$hit:

• The Chicago Bears stirred excitement and alarm Monday after carefully unveiling a piece of its plans for a new stadium and promising to spend more than $2 billion to help build a new publicly owned domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront.

  The excitement came from fans and supporters who cheered the thought of the Bears staying in Chicago. But the alarm came from vast corners around the city and state, as the Bears’ plans lacked significant details and raised a host of questions — not only about how much public funding would be required and how that revenue would be raised, but also about how the Bears might win over Chicago and Illinois lawmakers as well as overcome opposition from open space and historical landmark advocates.

But over in Arlington Heights:

• While the Bears have said their focus is on Chicago now, Arlington Heights officials said the team told them Monday that its interest in the former Arlington Park site “has not changed.” Village officials continue to try to get the schools and the team to reach an agreement on property taxes.

  “The Village’s focus remains on finding a path forward to a successful redevelopment of the former Arlington Park site,” Mayor Tom Hayes said.

So obviously, they're playing both sides....an odd position for a team that can't do either on the field.

But if they want control over the hotels, bars, associated gambling revenues, etc, then Arlington Heights is the obvious long term move.