RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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ATLANTA – Roger Goodell confirmed that he recently met with select lawmakers in Illinois to help in efforts for the Chicago Bears to finalize plans to build a new stadium.
Yet the NFL Commissioner offered no clues about whether those meetings indicated that the Bears – who have a standing offer to move to a site in Hammond, Indiana – are any closer to closing the door on the chance of building in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where the team also owns land.
Of course, this decision was expected to be finalized weeks ago, but an Illinois bill that could incentivize the Bears to move to Arlington Heights has yet to make it to the floor for a vote that could determine the team’s course of action.
So, when?
“There’s no specific timetable from my standpoint, other than we know that they are looking at the alternate groups, Indiana or Arlington Heights,” Goodell told reporters on Weafter team owners met at an airport hotel. “We want to make sure that Arlington Heights and Illinois have an opportunity, as well as Indiana, to put their best foot forward.”
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Goodell’s meeting with lawmakers seems significant, yet he downplayed that involvement and characterized it as a normal part of NFL business.
“I’m involved in a lot of stadium efforts,” he said. “It’s not unusual for me to be involved in conversations with either public officials or others. Or our staff. There are important decisions, not just for the communities but for teams and the NFL. So these are important things for us.”
And even though Bears chairman George McCaskey and team president Kevin Warren have recently reiterated publicly that they are focused on the project to move the team to Northwest Indiana , there are no shovels in the ground yet – especially with the team and league continuing to dance in Illinois.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Roger Goodell says Chicago Bears 'looking at' Illinois stadium site
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