Bears' stadium decision 'late spring, early summer,' says Warren - ESPN

PHOENIX — One day after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stressed the importance of the Chicago Bears coming to a decision «relatively soon» on where they will build their new stadium, team president and CEO Kevin Warren laid out the team's projected timeline.

«We're in an excellent position,» Warren said Wednesday at the NFL's league meetings. «I recently said that the target is to make sure that we have a decision made by springtime here soon. Late spring, early summer would be that from a target.»

The Bears will choose between building a domed stadium in either Hammond, Indiana, or Arlington Heights, Illinois, where they currently own 326 acres of land. The process of leaving Soldier Field, their home since 1971, began in earnest five years ago when the team purchased land in the suburb located northwest of Chicago.

But the Bears have encountered roadblocks with the state of Illinois over property taxes, which led the team to explore a potential site in northwest Indiana.

«I've said to our family, 'We need to be patient and let the deal come to us,'» chairman George H. McCaskey said. «We think a deal will materialize somewhere. We're comfortable with either site. We have people at the Bears working with public servants in both Indiana and Illinois trying to get this done.»

The Bears have never played outside of Illinois since they were founded in 1920. The prospect of moving across state lines while staying in the Chicagoland region is something McCaskey does not believe will negatively affect the fan base.

«I don't think in the end it's going to matter to people,» McCaskey said. «Back in 1976, the New York Football Giants went across state lines to New Jersey. They have been there ever since. The Jets joined them