(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson confirmed he's vetoed the idea of using the city’s amusement tax to help finance new stadiums for the Bears or White Sox, and he added that baseball team owner Jerry Reinsdorf needs to put “skin in the game” to make a deal happen.
The Chicago Bears have previously said they would invest $2 billion in private money for a new lakefront stadium for the NFL franchise as a way to leverage public assistance. But thus far, a similar offer has not been made by Reinsdorf’s White Sox organization, which has pushed the idea of a publicly assisted ballpark near the South Loop.
“I’ve always said that ownership has to put some skin in the game,” Johnson said this week to reporters when asked for updates about the sports venues. “I know there some motivations on his part. It’s just a matter of coming to an understanding of what that type of investment will look like. That’s something that he and his organization will have to work through.”
Johnson praised “the leadership” of Bears executive Kevin Warren but said the “lion’s share” of city revenues should be spent on neighborhoods and that any stadiums must have public use and benefit if they are to be assisted with public dollars. He was asked Wednesday about reports that stadium proponents were looking for a cut of amusement tax, which is levied on ticket sales.
Committing taxpayer resources is an even tougher sell for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who repeatedly has pushed back on the idea of using public money for private sports franchises.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok