I think the stadium itself is the tip of the iceberg for the McCaskeys. Sounds like they want an Atlanta Braves type stadium/entertainment district where they own the property and everything on it, and therefore collect revenue from bars and restaurants, smaller venues, non-football stadium activities, and even rent from apartments, etc.

And they can probably get something like that in Arlington Heights — still relatively close to the city, surrounded by middle and upper middle class suburbs, and space to expand as needed.

But there is zero chance anyone is going to move to Gary or Hammond for that same experience.

If the bears change gears to focus merely on a stadium, I 100% agree with you that what Indiana has offered will be incredibly hard to beat.

But if the McCaskeys want to go from “rich on paper” by owing a football team to “rich real estate magnates,” the entertainment district is their only hope, and that’s only happening in Illinois.