With the Chicago Fire announcing their departure from Soldier Field and the Chicago Bears intensifying their focus on Arlington Heights, serious questions arise about the future of the city-owned stadium. Representative Kam Buckner recently remarked, “There was life in Soldier Field before the Chicago Bears, and if, for some reason, they are no longer there, there will be life afterwards.” While the sentiment is optimistic, it warrants a closer examination.

The Bears have called Soldier Field home since 1971 — a vastly different era for both the stadium and the city. Today, the landscape of professional sports and entertainment is evolving rapidly. A state-of-the-art, domed stadium in Arlington Heights promises to attract elite sporting events, major concerts, and high-revenue opportuniti

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