CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Bears have named one of their own executives to head the development of a new stadium.
Karen Murphy has been in the Bears front office for 25 years-most of it as the team's chief financial officer. Now, Murphy has been named Executive Vice-President of Stadium Development and Chief Operating Officer.
Murphy said she's spent her whole career as the only woman in the room and it never intimidated her. She and Bears president Kevin Warren will work to build a new stadium whether it's in the city or the suburbs.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to lead an operation that has the power to change the trajectory of this storied franchise and how fans experience the game of football in Chicago. I have always loved the game of football and the city of Chicago, and I bring that passion to work every day," she said in a statement.
Warren praised Murphy's work ethic and called her a "positive force" for the team.
"From the moment I met Karen, it was clear that she was an individual who would focus on being excellent every day and operate with a championship mindset," he said. "Karen will do an exceptional job as we work collaboratively on building a stadium for the Chicago Bears."
There's still a question of where a new Bears stadium will be located-whether in the city of Chicago or on the property of the old Arlington Park race course, which the team bought last year. Warren said there's a stalemate over plans to build in Arlington Heights.
He also said the team wants to get the plan for a stadium right wherever it's built.
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