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Bears to keep name if they move to Hammond

8/14/2026

29 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Bears Retain Name

U.S. team chairman George McCaskey said the Chicago Bears will retain their name if they move to Hammond, Indiana.
The Bears’ board of directors voted in June to advance the Hammond stadium plan as Illinois talks faded.
Indiana approved tax assurances and up to $1 billion in incentives for the relocation.
Illinois failed to pass bills that would lower taxes for the proposed $5 billion stadium.

Summary

Residents Reject Tax

Porter County residents have pushed back against a proposed food and beverage tax linked to stadium financing.
Environmental and topographical studies have cleared the Lost Marsh site for a domed stadium.
Kevin Warren warned that rising construction costs threaten the stadium’s budget and said no firm date exists for a final site decision.

History

Historical Context

In November 1995 Art Modell announced the Browns would relocate to Baltimore for the 1996 season, securing a $220 million stadium deal from Maryland officials. Cleveland voters responded by approving a $175 million sin-tax to refurbish their stadium, while the NFL agreed to keep the Browns’ name and history in Cleveland, where the team resumed play in 1999.

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Bears Retain Name

U.S. team chairman George McCaskey said the Chicago Bears will retain their name if they move to Hammond, Indiana.
The Bears’ board of directors voted in June to advance the Hammond stadium plan as Illinois talks faded.
Indiana approved tax assurances and up to $1 billion in incentives for the relocation.
Illinois failed to pass bills that would lower taxes for the proposed $5 billion stadium.

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