The Chicago Bears have hired a new president and CEO in Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, who will be introduced by the organization on Tuesday.
Warren replaces Ted Phillips, who’s retiring after nearly 40 years with the organization. According to the organization, Warren will begin his work this spring.
This move doesn’t come as much of a surprise considering Warren’s name was floated around as a frontrunner a few weeks ago. Warren has 21 years of NFL experience, including 15 years with the Minnesota Vikings. But there was one thing that stood out most about Warren that was enticing for Chicago, as they look to make headway on their Arlington Heights property.
According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Warren’s impact in the development of U.S. Bank Stadium during his time in Minnesota caught the Bears organization’s attention.
Sources told ESPN that Warren’s impact in helping the Vikings build U.S. Bank Stadium in 2016 has been appealing to the Bears, who are also looking to construct a new stadium in the coming years after 50 seasons at Soldier Field. The Bears aim to close on their 326-acre purchase of Arlington Heights during the first quarter of 2023 and unveiled initial plans for the development, which is set to include a domed stadium, last fall.
The Bears are expected to close on the Arlington Heights property in early 2023. They’re already revealed initial plans for the property last September.
Interesting enough, at that same time, Phillips specifically referenced U.S. Bank Stadium as an example of an enclosed stadium that makes you feel like you’re outside.
Warren was certainly brought to Chicago to help build one of the best stadiums in the NFL. And past results speak for themselves.
