"BEAR DOWN!" The Potential Impact of the Chicago Bears Relocating to St Louis

Imagine the Chicago Bears, one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, packing up and moving to St Louis. What would that mean for both cities, the team, and the fans? How could such a relocation even happen? We will dive into the possible effects, the steps involved, and what St Louis would need to do to become the new home of the Bears.

Alteration depicts the Chicago Bears' logo, with "Chicago" crossed out and replaced by "St. Louis."

Why are the Chicago Bears considering relocation?

The Bears have a rich history in Chicago, but relocation talks often arise from financial, stadium, or market challenges. Soldier Field, their current home, is one of the oldest stadiums in the NFL. While it has charm, it lacks some modern amenities and revenue opportunities compared to newer venues. The team might look for a city that offers:

• Their strongest proposal has been a new state-of-the-art stadium in Arlington Heights, with improved revenue streams and a better location.

• Chicago and Illinois still owe nearly $600 million on the 2003 renovation of Soldier Field and are now requesting that the Franchise pay the outstanding debt to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights.

• New rumors have surfaced about a potential relocation out of Illinois to Gary, Indiana, due to the issues listed above.

• The Bears have no desire to stay in Downtown Chicago long-term

  
  

As a result, St. Louis could be a potential landing spot for the franchise. The city has a history with the NFL, having hosted the Rams before their return to Los Angeles and the "Big Red" St. Louis Cardinals from 1960 to 1987 (Which were the Chicago Cardinals prior) before they relocated to Arizona. It also has a passionate sports culture and a metropolitan area large enough to support an NFL franchise.

What Would St Louis Need to Do to Land the Bears?

Bringing an NFL team to a city requires more than desire. St Louis would need to take several concrete steps:

1. Secure a Modern Stadium Plan

Let's face it, the Dome isn't precisely what you would call a "Top Tier" facility, so you can either upgrade The Dome at America's Center for a significantly less sum than building an entirely new stadium from scratch. A new or considerably upgraded stadium is essential.

This facility must meet NFL standards and offer amenities that attract fans and corporate sponsors. The city and private investors would likely need to collaborate on funding, balancing public and private money.

2. Offer Financial Incentives

With the State of Missouri more than likely losing the Chiefs to the State of Kansas, Missouri leaders might be motivated to make a deal to secure the Bears in Missouri.

Relocation often depends on financial packages that make the move attractive. This could include tax breaks, infrastructure investments, or direct subsidies to the team. Taxes differ considerably between the two states. Illinois is much higher. Missouri is currently working to eliminate the state income tax.

Missouri Tax Plan

3. Demonstrate Strong Fan Support

NFL owners want to see a committed fan base. St. Louis would need to demonstrate strong ticket sales potential, merchandise demand, and community enthusiasm. This is something St. Louis has proven in the past with the Cardinals, the Rams, and, currently, the UFL Battlehawks that they can and will support a team.

4. Navigate NFL Approval

This is the biggie, right? The NFL has strict rules about team moves (So they say). The Bears’ ownership would need approval from the league and other team owners. St Louis would have to present a compelling case that the move benefits the league overall. Which we all know is the almighty dollar, right?

How Would the Move Affect Chicago?

Chicago would lose a major sports icon, which would impact the city culturally and economically. The Bears are deeply woven into Chicago’s identity, with generations of fans supporting the team. The loss could lead to:

• Economic hits to local businesses near Soldier Field

• Reduced tourism and game-day revenue

• A void in the city’s sports landscape (Which will happen either way)

  
  

However, Chicago’s large market and sports culture might still support other teams, but the Bears’ departure would leave a noticeable gap.

What Would the Move Mean for St Louis?

For St Louis, gaining the Bears would be a significant win. The city would regain an NFL presence, boosting local pride and economic activity. Benefits could include:

• Increased jobs related to the stadium and game days

• Growth in the hospitality and retail sectors

• Enhanced national visibility for the city

• Renewed enthusiasm for football among residents

  
  

The Bears’ brand could also attract new sponsorships and partnerships in St. Louis, helping the local economy.

Challenges and Risks of Relocation

Relocating a team is never simple. Both cities would face challenges:

• Fan backlash: Bears fans in Chicago might feel betrayed, while some St Louis fans could be skeptical after the Rams’ departure.

• Financial risks: Stadium projects often run over budget or face delays.

• League politics: In some cases, NFL owners might resist the move if it threatens their markets. In this case, it will not.

• Team identity: The Bears’ history is tied to Chicago. Moving could affect the team’s brand and player morale.

  
  

Examples from recent NFL Moves

Looking at past relocations helps understand what might happen:

• The Rams moved from St Louis back to Los Angeles in 2016, leaving St Louis without a team. Stadium issues and market size drove the move. Lies from Kroenke, Demoff, Grubman, and Commissioner Roger Goodell about the move and what they knew about it led to a $790 million settlement paid to the city of St. Louis.

• The Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020, supported by a new stadium and strong local backing. The Raiders long looked to San Antonio, TX for relocation, but, with the disapproval of both Jerry Jones, Owner of the Cowboys, and the McNair Estate (Late Bob McNair), Owners of the Texans, the Raiders were pushed to the Las Vegas market due to the NFL's increasing interest in sports gambling.

• The Chargers moved from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2017, facing mixed fan reactions but gaining a larger market. The jury is still out on the move.

  
  

These examples show that stadium deals and market potential are key factors. They also highlight the emotional toll on fans.

What Could the Bears’ Move Look Like Logistically?

If the Bears decided to move, the process might include:

• Announcing intentions and negotiating with St Louis officials

• Securing stadium financing and construction plans

• Gaining NFL approval through owner votes

• Planning the transition of team operations, staff, and players

• Launching marketing campaigns to build the new fan base in St Louis

• Managing the final season in Chicago, which could be challenging

• St. Louis is very close to the Chicago area, fans could make a short trek to support the team while in transistion

  
  

This process could take several years from initial talks to the first game in St Louis.

How Fans Could React

Fan reactions would vary widely:

• Chicago fans might organize protests or boycotts, feeling a profound loss.

• Some Bears fans might continue supporting the team despite the move.

• St Louis fans could embrace the Bears enthusiastically or remain cautious after past disappointments. I.E. Cardinal, Rams.

  
  

The team’s communication and community engagement would be critical to managing fan sentiment.

How could it work?

Let's face it, it would be an uphill battle to say the least. That said, this would be the best outcome for everyone if it happened.

• St. Louis makes a reasonable offer to the Bears and the NFL.

• The team can play in the Dome for 2 years while a new stadium is being built.

• In the meantime, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois get a breather.

• The NFL can offer the same deal it gave to the City of Cleveland in 1995 after the Browns moved to Baltimore. Name, history, legacy on hold for 3 years while you build a new stadium and secure new ownership.

No messy realignments. It gives the leaders in Chicago and Illinois the time to get their act together.

Final Thoughts on the Bears Moving to St Louis

A Chicago Bears relocation to St Louis would reshape the NFL landscape and affect two passionate football cities. While the move could bring new opportunities for St Louis, it would also come with significant challenges and emotional costs. For this to happen, St. Louis must present a strong stadium plan, financial incentives, and a clear vision that convinces the Bears’ ownership and the NFL.

The fact is that there is no easy answer to any of this. St. Louis has been through the wringer with the NFL. The NFL got caught over a barrel and lost, which has never happened before, and it's just a plain awful situation for Chicago fans.

Either way, like a majority of NFL teams, the Bears are headed out of Downtown Chicago whether they like it or not.