The Chicago Bears appeared to take another step toward leaving Chicago on Friday, announcing that their board of directors met and voted to advance a stadium development project in Hammond, Ind.
The potential move, which does not yet have an exact site, is not final and would require NFL approval.
In a statement by Bears chairman George McCaskey and team president Kevin Warren, the Bears said a “world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region.” They claimed the “transformation” would connect Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago and “bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses.”
Hammond and Chicago are about 20 miles apart, and even closer when comparing nearest points from their city limits. In contrast, Hammond is over 150 miles from Indianapolis, Ind., home of the Indianapolis Colts.
The Bears currently play in Soldier Field, a multipurpose stadium that is 102 years old and the oldest stadium used by NFL and MLS teams. The Bears have played home games there since 1971, and the Chicago Fire FC play their home matches there as well.
