Former Chicago Mayor and U.S. ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, has weighed in on the ongoing saga of the Chicago Bears’ potential move, asserting that the team is not looking to leave Illinois. However, he emphasized that they must get serious about negotiations if they wish to secure a new stadium deal within the state.
In an exclusive interview with ABC7 Chicago, Emanuel urged the Bears to precisely outline their priorities and engage directly with key political figures to forge an agreement that would keep the team rooted in Illinois. He criticized the trend of cities and states offering financial incentives to affluent team owners, describing it as a misguided approach.
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“I think all these cities around the country and states that are throwing money at billionaires are out of their mind,” Emanuel remarked, highlighting the need for a more strategic approach.
The Bears’ pursuit of tax incentives to construct a new stadium in Arlington Heights has been a focal point of the discussions. Emanuel stressed the importance of clarity and coordination in these efforts, urging all parties involved to come together and seriously address the matter.
“Everybody get in the room once that priority is set. Stop playing around and see if you can meet that obligation,” he advised, underscoring the need for focused negotiations.
Speculation has arisen over whether the Bears are using the prospect of relocating to Hammond, Indiana, as a bargaining tool. Emanuel expressed skepticism about the likelihood of the team leaving the Chicago area, suggesting that such a move is not their genuine intention.
“I think they know where their fan base is; they know where their future is. And they know what would happen if they did. So, therefore, I don’t think they want to go,” he said.
Emanuel also addressed why Chicago is not hosting any World Cup matches as games get underway. He said FIFA was to blame, citing negotiations that took place in 2018 while he was mayor.
“I believed this was a boondoggle for the taxpayers; that’s why I said no,” Emanuel said.
He said FIFA wanted the city and taxpayers to shoulder all the financial risk while the organization reaped the rewards.
“Because they wanted us to take us, being the city and the taxpayers, to take on all the financial risk, and they literally walk away with all the financial reward,” Emanuel said.
Emanuel said talks ultimately collapsed over contract language that would have required a dome to be built over Soldier Field.
“I said, ‘take it out.’ They said no. I said, ‘well, end of discussion then.’ I said, because you’re not leaving me with a $100 million liability on behalf of the taxpayers, not doing it now. I want to be clear. I hope the games are a success,” he said.
Emanuel also discussed his political future after recently finishing a bike ride across New Hampshire and speaking with voters. Asked how serious he is about a possible presidential run, Emanuel responded, “I am very serious.”
He said he is weighing whether he can help address what he described as broken middle-class foundations.
“Do I have what it takes to help put that foundation back on solid ground to help the next generation?” Emanuel said. “Now do I have what it takes to answer that? That’s what I’m going to decide in the next six months.”
As for his appearance court-side at a New York Knicks NBA Finals game, Emanuel said his brother, Ari Emanuel, bought the tickets and invited him. He added he would not have paid the asking price himself, amid reports that the tickets were outrageously expensive.
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