NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has warned the Chicago Bears to make up their mind on where they intend to build a new stadium.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports Goodell expressed impatience with the team during his NFL annual news conference.
“They need to find a solution for a stadium,” Goodell said. “They have looked not only in Indiana but also in Illinois at other sites and invested in a site. I think they have been responsible in that fact. I think it’s really important that they come to a resolution on this relatively soon.”
Bears President Kevin Warren offered to give Illinois lawmakers more time to come up with a solution to the team’s demands on property tax relief connected to a potential new stadium in Arlington Heights. The legislature is in session through May 31, but no plan has been put forth to address the team’s concerns.
Across the state line, Indiana lawmakers have already approved the creation of a structure to enable the construction of a stadium in the city of Hammond, which is less than a half-hour drive from Chicago.
“This is an important time to get this resolved sooner rather than later,” Goodell continued.
Goodell ruled out having the team remaining at Soldier Field, their longtime Chicago home.
“They are still playing in Soldier Field, which has a lot of great tradition,” Goodell said. “But as far as advancements in technology and advancements in the quality of the stadium for the fan experience, I would say it’s not at the top of the list. So, they need to find that resolution for a stadium.”
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