Story perspectives

Bears focus on Hammond stadium after Illinois offer stays absent

8/14/2026

Summary

Bears Eye Indiana

The Chicago Bears are focusing on a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana.
President and CEO Kevin Warren said environmental studies are complete at two Wolf Lake sites in Hammond.
Warren noted the team has not received an Illinois offer, prompting the Indiana focus.
Chairman George McCaskey said the franchise will keep the “Chicago Bears” name if it moves to Indiana.

Summary

Devine Retracts Rumor

Ben Devine retracted his August 13, 2026 claim that the Bears would adopt an “Indiana” name if a stadium deal closed.
He said the original X post had reached over five million users and that the source proved fraudulent or intentionally manipulative despite his extensive verification attempts.
Warren’s Thursday press conference announced no stadium plans, confirming the rumor false, while followers praised Devine’s accountability even as he warned of criticism.

History

Historical Context

In November 1995 Art Modell announced the Browns would move to Baltimore in 1996, leading to lawsuits and a league deal that left the Browns’ name and history in Cleveland while creating the Ravens franchise. The $175 million sin-tax funded stadium deal set a relocation precedent and informs the Bears’ stadium talks, where Kevin Warren’s Indiana plan and George McCaskey’s name-retention pledge echo the 1995 branding clash.

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Bears Eye Indiana

The Chicago Bears are focusing on a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana.
President and CEO Kevin Warren said environmental studies are complete at two Wolf Lake sites in Hammond.
Warren noted the team has not received an Illinois offer, prompting the Indiana focus.
Chairman George McCaskey said the franchise will keep the “Chicago Bears” name if it moves to Indiana.

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