Stadium Update: Where things stand with Arlington Heights.

I don't think you understand how leverage works - it is worthless if it doesn't seem real.  If we can see through it, so can the side they are negotiating with.

So yeah, they are going to do everything they can to "sell" the lakefront and make it believable, otherwise its completely worthless as leverage if they can't get the other side to believe that.

Serious question b/c I do think you know what you are talking about regarding this situation, even if I don't agree. What's the reason, where is the value, in renting the lake front property for the Bears. The City and State have told the Bears and Sox to kick mud regarding any money from them to build a new stadium, and that isn't a bluff Chicago has financially broke the city and the state. There is no room anywhere on the lakefront to build around the stadium for extra income ala the Cubs and Wrigleyville. There isn't going to be a huge increase in seating equal to what the fanbase is. Even if there was, they wouldn't own it, it would be owned by Chicago, they'd have to at best split the income sources.

I honestly do not see why the Bears would seriously consider Chicago unless there is a huge closed down factory plant that has tons of space to bulldoze; but that won't be on the lake. But you think it is, so where is the financial sense in staying in Chicago?

I'm in the minority, but I like the McCaskeys and think their ownership is beneficial. I think they had their faith in the wrong people (Phillips), but now that is broken and I see better (actual football) management and I expect better things.

They have not sold the AH property yet, so they may in fact be playing possum, but I do believe that Warren is serious about the lakefront and he would go in that direction if the finances lined up. I do not think they will, however and I think any investor would rather see the location be a team owned stadium in AH, unless the investor group had an interest in the location staying on the lakefront.

The economics for AH are just too compelling once you get past the taxes. (not sure they will 100% be able to do that to the teams satisfaction on a long term guaranteed basis though). Taxes are less of an issue on the lakefront since the local taxes go right back to the taxing authority. 

I totally agree.  It sounds like tax concessions have been made by the Arlington Heights side.  If Warren is legit serious about building a new stadium, he probably should get his act together and start implementing the project.  They've already wasted time.  I doubt that substantial (further) tax concessions will be offered by AR now.  And the Bears should pay a certain level of taxes.  Arlington Heights is a modest sized city of 75k population.  Not much more than what the Bears will draw on gamedays to the city.  There will be some financial burden for the taxpayers living in AR - costs directly related to the Bears moving there.  The townspeople shouldn't have to pay for the Bears to get a free ride tax wise.  Reasonable taxes should be paid by the McCaskeys.  Key word there is "reasonable" though.  I'm far from an expert, but the articles I've been reading make it sound like the Arlington Heights tax proposal is now fair and reasonable.

I think that once Warren was hired he did not want to be anywhere but downtown Chicago.  I think he was the guy who led this thing off track.  I think he truly does want to do the rental option partnering with the City of Chicago.  

This whole thing seems mismanaged by the McCaskey's from day-1.  They buy the AR property and get the fans all hopped up excited about this beautiful 300 acre sports campus complex... they pay to have the beautiful videos made and have the press conferences - all in on Arlington Heights.  Full speed ahead.  Shovels in the ground soon. 

Then they do the same thing with a Chicago rental thing proposing to jump in bed with Chicago politicians spouting how this is what they REALLY want to do.  It is now full speed ahead and shovels in the ground soon.  If this is due to Warren then my opinion of his "leadership" is diminishing pretty quickly.  He keeps talking about how quickly he wants to move on this but we see no progress.  Just mocked up videos and blow-hard press conferences that mean nothing.