48,000-strong city offers NFL team $5bn lakefront stadium in effort to anchor cross-state relocation

The Chicago Bears are currently embroiled in a three-state competition to build a new stadium.

Now, Portage, Indiana has launched a pitch to the Bears as it bids to tempt them out of Illinois and across state lines.

Getty

On Wednesday, Portage – which has a population of just 48,000 – unveiled its proposal for “Halas Harbor” – a $5 billion lakefront project that, according to its hype video, would have “zero taxpayer burden” and would incur “zero debt on the team.”

This is because the proposal outlines that the 70,000-plus stadium – built on a 300-acre site – would be “fully privately financed” by Chicago businessman Lou Weisbach.

“We’re prepared to give them everything they want with no taxpayer dollars,” Portage Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Andy Maletta said, via The Chicago Tribune.

“We offered it in a way that has never been done before.”

The bid was officially announced on Wednesday by Portage Mayor Austin Bonta.

“We have a governor who is determined to get the Bears here. He’s not just a sports fan, he’s a pro-business person,” Bonta said. “He’s someone who cares about the development of Indiana.”

With Weisbach’s full financial backing, this makes the proposal far more attractive.

“It gives us the ability to provide all the capital upfront, which is very important to the entity, which in this case would be Portage,” Bonta added.

There is also the belief that should the Bears opt to accept Portage’s proposal, shovels could be in the ground as early as June 2026.

“When you’re ready to act, there’s nothing standing in the way,” WeCreate Media CEO Wade Breitzke said at Wednesday’s news conference.

“This stadium is not about fitting into an existing footprint. When that snow melts, you’d better get your shovels out, because we’ll be ready.”

Portage lies just 40 miles away from Soldier Field, which has housed the Bears since 1924.

But the NFL’s oldest stadium with a 61,500 capacity has struggled to meet the demands of the league’s requirements, which has seen the franchise lean towards leaving history behind in favor of a new era.

The three ‘I’s battling it out

The Bears have received several pitches – some that came as a shock – in efforts to see them relocate to northwest Indiana, including that from Hammond and Gary.

But now the state of Iowa has joined the party, after the Iowa State Senate introduced a bill to help the expansion of its ‘MEGA program’.

Essentially, the program provides economic development incentives designed to attract capital investments, such as an NFL franchise.

AFP

“While Illinois and Indiana squabble over this issue, we are ready to get off the sidelines and into the game,” Iowa state senator Kerry Gruenhagen said in a statement.

“Bringing an NFL team to Iowa would attract jobs, tourism and fans to our state and give us the opportunity to showcase what Iowa really has to offer.

“Iowans have dedicated themselves to our college sports teams, and we’re ready to attract a professional team to our great state.”

However, Illinois is determined to keep the Bears inside their own state lines.

The Bears purchased the 326-acre Arlington Park racetrack property in Arlington Heights for $197 million back in February 2023.

All signs pointed to Chicago breaking ground in one of the city’s surrounding suburbs in 2026 and building a $4.7 billion domed facility with an estimated opening date of 2029.

Bears/MANICA

Manica

However, issues with public funding and taxes has brought plans to a halt and allowed other states to weigh up bids in their attempts to lure the Bears away from Illinois.

Sports business consultant Marc Ganis is of the strong belief, though, that when all is said and done, Arlington Heights will be the new home for the Bears.

“I’m seeing the kinds of motions out of Springfield that are the kind that typically precede a deal getting done,” Ganis said, via NBC Chicago.

“This is an excellent deal for the taxpayers. This is an excellent deal for Arlington Heights and the northwest suburbs.

“It’s even a good deal for the city of Chicago, because a lot of economic activity will take place in the city of Chic

Furthermore, Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia stated his belief that Illinois lawmakers are making good progress to counter the state of Indiana’s offer.

He said: “This is no longer Arlington Heights versus Chicago. This is about doing what we need to keep the Bears here in Illinois.”

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.