George McCaskey firmly shuts down Chicago Bears name change rumors

The Chicago Bears are pondering a move to Indiana as they look to build a new stadium. But what won’t change is the franchise’s name.

Prior to the Bears’ Thursday stadium announcement, rumors began to swirl about the team potentially changing their name based on their potential move into Indiana. Owner George McCaskey swiftly put those rumors to bed, clearly stating the Chicago Bears will remain as they’ve been since 1922, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

“No. We will be the Chicago Bears whether we’ll be in Arlington (Heights) or in Hammond,” McCaskey said.

Still, McCaskey understands the weight of moving to Indiana. He has heard the fans and knows any move out of Chicago will be polarizing. But the owner is thinking of the future and what will be best for the Bears overall, via his Thursday press conference.

“Yeah, we feel that anxiety. We feel that stress,” McCaskey said. “We talked about this in March. It’s going to require an adjustment. But when I’ve driven that route, other than a sign telling me so, I wouldn’t know that I’ve just crossed the state border. And as Kevin [Warren] said, once people see the building, once they get in there, once they understand that our top priority from day one was a world-class stadium experience, we think we’ll make that adjustment. We think Bears fans are up for that.”

Bears’ stadium saga continues 

While Illinois refuses to bow out of the fight, the Bears seem focused on building a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana. There still isn’t a decision finalized, as McCaskey and team president Kevin Warren are still figuring out details. If – or seemingly when – the team does move out of Chicago, it’ll begin a brand new era of the franchise.

But the Bears have built a legacy around their name. The franchise was one of the first two in NFL history. Becoming the Indiana or Hammond Bears wouldn’t strip away the team’s record books, but it would take away the branding and heritage that franchise has built itself on.

McCaskey clearly understands the importance of a name. Which is why his franchise will remain the Chicago Bears.

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