(670 The Score) The Bears are doing their due diligence on the viability of the South Lot of Soldier Field as a possible new stadium location, sources told the Parkins & Spiegel Show.
The South Lot currently serves as a large parking lot and tailgating area. It’s unclear how serious the Bears are about potentially building a stadium on that location. It’s possible it could be another move for create leverage to extract the best deal from Arlington Heights, where the Bears own Arlington Park and have been eyeing a new stadium. Back in June, the Bears began interior demolition of Arlington Park but then revealed that they’re exploring other locations and municipalities for a new stadium following friction over tax assessments in Arlington Heights.
Bears officials have also met with Naperville officials about a stadium.
The Bears are using Compass Land Surveying out of Aurora to assess the viability of the South Lot of Soldier Field, sources told the Parkins & Spiegel Show. It’s the same firm that surveyed locations in Arlington Heights and other potential locations for them.
The Bears signed a $197.2-million purchase agreement for the Arlington Park property in September 2021. The Bears have played their home games at Soldier Field since 1971 and remain under contract with the Chicago Park District on a lease that ends in 2033. That lease can be broken as early as 2026 for a fee of $84 million, according to reports.