Browsing: Sports
“When you go through a bad, ugly game like that, there’s a lot of emotions that come into play,” Nagy said. “There’s a lot of opinions that come into play, and that’s only fair. You have to be able to accept that. You’ve got to be able to have tough conversations, and I feel like that’s one of my strengths is to have a tough conversation individually, one on one. Sometimes with the group but also to be able to talk to the guys and say, ‘Hey, man, what’s the deal?’
Also, the Bears would be able to generate much more income from a new stadium than their deal at Soldier Field, which limits them to the revenue from tickets, concessions, stadium signage and the use of 4,250 parking spots. And unlike other NFL franchises that own their own stadiums, the Bears’ revenues are limited to the 10 home games played per season (including the preseason).
People take advantage of one of numerous restaurants in downtown Arlington Heights, on Sept. 29, 2021. The Chicago Bears have signed a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse, the near-century-old facility that likely hosted its final horse race last Saturday. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
The Bears also have more urgent problems than their stadium situation, like what to do with general manager Ryan Pace, coach Matt Nagy and the incredibly shrinking offense. After Sunday’s stomach-churning loss to the Cleveland Browns, former Bears defensive end and WGN-AM 720 analyst Ed O’Bradovich hollered at the top of his lungs for Pace and Nagy to be escorted off the premises of Halas Hall on Monday morning, a scenario that did not occur.
Chicago Sky point guard Courtney Vandersloot, right, talks with forward Candace Parker during a break in their playoff game against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Vandersloot had 12 points, 18 assists and 10 rebounds — the second triple-double in WNBA playoff history — in the Sky’s 101-95, double-overtime win in Game 1 of the series. (SEAN D. ELLIOT/AP)
“Women’s basketball has grown tremendously over the past several years, and we remain focused on our priority of enhancing and growing the game,” said Lynn Holzman, vice president of women’s basketball. “The brand recognition that March Madness carries will broaden marketing opportunities as we continue that work to elevate the women’s basketball championship.”
“It’s not time to say that yet. We have weeks and weeks before the season begins,” he said. “I think his fans are going to say to him, ‘C’mon, join us, help us, let’s keep everyone safe — keep your own family safe, keep your teammates safe, keep your community safe.”
“In a three-out-of-five (series), or a four-out-of-seven, any team can beat any other team,” he said. “Any team can look bad and any team can look great. In a short series, anything can happen. I don’t see why we can’t go all the way, but if we don’t, I wouldn’t be stunned either.”
Yes, I think something shifts this week. I don’t think Nagy would introduce the idea that everything is being inspected and weighed, knowing the message that sends, and then do nothing. The biggest change he could make is handing off play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, something he did last season before the Week 10 game with the Minnesota Vikings. Nagy announced in the offseason he would be the play caller again this season, and he did so because he’s the head coach, he believes he’s highly qualified in that area and if it’s his job on the line, he’s going to pilot the ship. But with the Bears struggling badly, he might cede responsibilities to Lazor again with the hope that a different perspective could lead to an offensive bump. Otherwise, if he continues as play caller and the offense remains broken, he’s exposed and vulnerable even for an organization that, as I said above, never has fired a coach in season. We’ll see if the team has an announcement Wednesday or Thursday, but a shift to Lazor as the play caller would not surprise me. If Nagy wasn’t willing to seriously consider this, I doubt he would have said “everything is on the table.” It’s possible when he said it, a move was already in the works.
“However, just as the Bears view this as a business decision so does the City. This season, Soldier Field signed a major contract with the Chicago Fire and just last weekend Soldier Field hosted the Shamrock Series – both of which are lucrative for the Chicago Park District and local economy. These examples and others demonstrate that Soldier Field remains a very sought-after venue, and, as the Mayor has said many times, overall, the City and Park District must explore all options to both enhance the visitor and fan experience at Soldier Field year-round and maximize revenues. Therefore, we must do what’s in the best economic interests of our taxpayers and maximize the financial benefits at the important asset that is Soldier Field. As for the Bears, the Mayor has said numerous times, our door in City Hall remains open to engage the Bears.”