Is Bears president Kevin Warren's threat to move team out of Chicago legit?

Why Kevin Warren may be bluffing

Warren saying the open letter isn't about leverage doesn't pass the sniff test. Threatening to move is a tactic NFL teams frequently use to expedite funding for a new stadium.

Remember in August 2021 when the Buffalo Bills told ESPN's Seth Wickersham they were eyeing Austin as a possible destination? Then, in May 2022, the team struck a deal with the state government for their taxpayer-funded $1.4B stadium. It's located in Orchard Park, New York, and construction is expected to be ready for the 2026 season.

This isn't even the first time the Bears have threatened to move to Indiana. In November 1995, the team mulled a move to Gary, Indiana, but that plan went nowhere.

In April, Indiana's state legislature passed House Bill 1292, creating the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission. Its mission is to attract pro teams to that region.

That may sound enticing to the Bears, but it's more likely they want to stay in Chicago, where they've played at Soldier Field since 1971. Just as importantly for the organization, it purchased a 326-acre property in Arlington Heights for $197.2M in September 2021. It doesn't want that to be a wasted investment. 

The threat could be a way to secure $855M in public funding for the new stadium, a sticking point in negotiations with lawmakers. 

"We have not asked for state taxpayer dollars to build the stadium at Arlington Park," Warren said. "We asked only commitment to essential local infrastructure [roads, utilities and site improvements], which is more than typical for projects of this size." 

Bears fans who are worried about the team suddenly moving, don't be. Warren's statement may be an empty threat.