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Bears submit bid to buy Arlington racetrack, which could signal move to Chicago suburbs

The Chicago Bears are one step closer to saying they are from the city when they actually reside in the suburbs. The team submitted a bid to purchase the Arlington Park racetrack Thursday, fueling speculation that the team could leave Soldier Field.

Team president and CEO Ted Phillips confirmed the news, saying the team is exploring every option. If the bid is accepted, Phillips said the Bears will "further evaluate the property and its potential."

Speculation that the Bears would move to Arlington Heights, the suburb in which Arlington racetrack is located, have persisted for decades. Thursday's news adds more fuel to that fire.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot issues statement

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot responded to the Bears' bid Thursday, taking a shot at the team for not being "relevant past October."

Lightfoot said she expects the Bears to remain committed to Chicago. She also said it was a negotiating tactic by the team, which wants to make improvements to Soldier Field.

Bears still have lease at Soldier Field through 2033

The Bears' buying Arlington racetrack doesn't guarantee the team will move to Arlington Heights. There are still multiple hoops to jump through. One of the biggest involves the Bears' current lease at Soldier Field, which runs through 2033.

It's unclear what it would take to get out of that lease, or what it would cost the team to convert Arlington racetrack into a football stadium. It's also possible the city of Chicago does whatever it can to make sure the Bears remain in Chicago.

In the event the Bears move to Arlington Heights, it's unclear what would happen to Soldier Field. The venue hosts concerts and other events, though the Bears are a significant draw. Given the size of the stadium, the city of Chicago could use Soldier Field as a draw for an expansion team if the NFL decides to add more team.

That seems outlandish, but Chicago has shown it can support two baseball teams.

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