New White Sox stadium unveiled in relocated site that could save $9.7bn Bears from leaving Chicago

The Chicago Bears’ chances of remaining in Chicago may have just received a huge boost. Amid all the chatter in recent months that the Bears were set to depart Soldier Field and move across state lines to Indiana , an eleventh-hour stadium plan was revealed in October that would see the state of Illinois retain its NFL franchise. According to a report from Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business on October 29, the Bears were revealed to be nearing a deal that would keep them in Illinois , with a vote on this revived legislature touted to take place as early as November. Shortly after, concept renderings were unveiled by Chicago architectural firm Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) in a proposal that would see the Bears construct a new domed stadium at the Rate Field site in Bridgeport. Currently, Rate Field, which is based in the South Side of Chicago, serves as the home of Major League Baseball team Chicago White Sox . But the MLB outfit are exploring the option of possibly moving to the South Loop neighborhood instead, with the club’s current ballpark lease only running until 2029. This comes after Canal Edge, a Windy City developer led by White Sox minority partner Justin Ishbia – who has a deal in place with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf to take over the team by 2034 – unveiled renderings of their own back in September . A potential move to the South Loop would see them become part of the same development area where the Chicago Fire is building a new stadium , with plans putting the new ballpark just across the Chicago River from the Major League Soccer venue. White Sox fans were initially skeptical about this move, although mainly due to the city, at that time, looking very likely to be losing its NFL team – worth $9.7 billion – too. But they may perhaps now be more open to the possibility if the Bears were to consider building their new domed stadium at the Rate Field site instead. SOM unveils conceptual stadium proposal The visualisations prepared by SOM in their proposal show the construction of a domed stadium which would not only replace the White Sox’ current ballpark, but also its surrounding car parks and part of the neighboring development to develop a mixed-use district. The space offers 30 acres for development, and work would also be done to improve pedestrian bridges, 1,500 new market-rate and affordable homes, community centers, and parks. “ Stadiums are major undertakings , requiring billions of dollars of investment in social, cultural, and civic infrastructure,” SOM Partner Adam Semel wrote for Crain’s Chicago Business. “Chicago is the world’s greatest city for modern architecture and also the greatest city for sports. Let’s build on that legacy with a next generation stadium-anchored district that is more innovative, sustainable, and community-centered than anything that came before.” The Rate Field site offers the huge advantage of being one of the most transit-rich options available, which could yet become a deciding factor for the Bears if they do decide to remain in Illinois. This is due to having access to the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and the Dan Ryan Expressway. “Our ambition is to create a place that belongs as much to the neighborhood as it does to the fans,” Semel added. “Realizing this idea hinges on a robust, community-driven process of engagement. “This site has a rich history and community and we hope that this proposal starts a conversation about how to make a new stadium act as a true neighborhood benefit.” SOM has emphasized, though, that this proposal is merely a conceptual study to serve as the foundation to opening discussions about ways to develop the Rate Field site if the White Sox were to move to South Loop. As it stands, the most likely destination for the NFL juggernauts to break ground on their near-$5 billion stadium project appears to be in Arlington Heights. This comes after having purchased the 326-acre Arlington International Racecourse property for $197.2 million back in February 2023. Nonetheless, this latest concept from SOM certainly provides food for thought for Bears majority owner George McCaskey and CEO/team president Kevin Warren, who had previously revealed that their “sole focus” was on striking a deal with Hammond, Indiana instead. The saga continues. Sign up for talkSPORT Stateside , the YouTube channel dedicated to passionate US Sports fans. Will Gavin, Brian T. Smith, former NFL star Efe Obada and a collection of special guests debate the biggest talking points across the NFL, soccer, NBA and more.