LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – As he prepared for a future leading the Bears as their new president and CEO, Kevin Warren drove out to the northwest suburbs and imagined what could be built on the 326-acre property at Arlington Park.
Warren was hired by the Bears in part because of his experience leading the Vikings’ vision for their U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis, and one of the primary tasks with his new organization will be guiding the construction of a stadium and entertainment district in Arlington Heights. The Bears intend to close on the Arlington Park property early this year, team chairman George McCaskey said.
For Warren, taking the lead on the Bears’ stadium project means embracing the time and patience required to do it right.
“The biggest thing I learned was the fact that you need to plan before you start digging,” Warren said Tuesday as he was introduced at Halas Hall. “I think what makes U.S. Bank Stadium so special (is) we spent almost a year planning, and planning is critical. That’s what I appreciate about the McCaskeys. They support the planning process.
“That will be really critical from that standpoint. I know we’re focused on Arlington Park and that stadium development project. I look forward to leaning in to the stadium development project. But I think the biggest thing we can do is to make sure we’re methodical, we’re detailed and we take the time to plan it properly.”
Warren will officially transition into his role as Bears president and CEO in April, taking over for the retiring Ted Phillips, who intends to remain on beyond his initial retirement date in late February in order to allow a proper departure for Warren as Big Ten commissioner.
Phillips has led the Bears through their exploration of and purchase of the rights to Arlington Park, which has previously been home to thoroughbred racing. The Bears signed a $197.2-million purchase agreement for the property in September 2021. Phillips announced this past September his intention to retire, doing so with the goal of the Bears closing on Arlington Park in early 2023.
While the city of Chicago has presented plans for a major reconstruction of Soldier Field, the Bears’ “sole focus” remains on a future at Arlington Park, Warren said. The team is currently on a lease of Soldier Field through 2033, though that contract can be broken before then.
“One thing I found out especially with stadium development projects, you have to create what’s the why? And what’s the why for everyone,” said Warren, who worked for the Vikings from 2005-’19 before taking over as Big Ten commissioner in 2020. “It can’t just be what’s the why for the Chicago Bears or what’s the why for this group or that group. One of the things I’ll really start thinking is what’s the why? No matter what constituent group you put in front of me, what’s the why?
“It’s like winning a championship. I’ve never met a person who you meet and you go, ‘Do you want to be a champion?’ And they go, ‘No, I don’t want to be a champion.’ They say, ‘Of course, I want to be a champion.’ The question becomes, ‘Can you put in the work to do it?’ With stadium development projects, and one of the many things I learned in Minnesota, is you have to create a compelling story of why it makes sense. I just believe at this point in time, where we are in our lifespan in the NFL of the Chicago Bears, that the time is right.
“But those are things that I love. To be able to walk the project and talk with constituents and groups and come up with why this makes sense. I’m confident with the intellectual talent in this state and in this city and all the people who love the Chicago Bears will be able to come together.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker