Bears Owner Warns ‘Millionaire Tax’ Could Trigger Immediate Exit from Chicago
Bears Owner Warns ‘Millionaire Tax’ Could Trigger Immediate Exit from Chicago
Bears Owner Warns ‘Millionaire Tax’ Could Trigger Immediate Exit from Chicago
Chicago, IL – March 2026
The Chicago Bears’ future in the city has taken a dramatic turn as financial pressure and political tension begin to collide at a critical moment for the franchise.
What was once a stadium dispute has now evolved into a broader concern involving taxation, long-term viability, and the team’s ability to compete in the modern NFL.
A proposed “millionaire tax” in Illinois is at the center of the latest concern, potentially adding significant financial strain on high-earning individuals, including professional athletes.
When combined with Chicago’s already steep property taxes, the financial burden could become one of the heaviest in the league for players considering the market.
Cook County property tax rates already sit around 2 percent annually, with 2025 bills rising by an average of 16.7 percent.
For players owning high-value homes, that translates into six-figure annual costs before even factoring in income-related taxes.
Now, the addition of a new tax targeting top earners could push total financial obligations to a level that directly impacts contract decisions.
Owner George McCaskey has reportedly issued a strong internal warning that if the “millionaire tax” is approved, the Bears could be forced to reconsider their future in Chicago immediately.
According to sources close to the situation, the concern is not just about cost, but about competitiveness.
In today’s NFL, players and agents evaluate total take-home income, and Chicago is rapidly becoming one of the least favorable markets under that lens.
The situation becomes even more complex when factoring in the ongoing stadium uncertainty and growing friction with local leadership.
Plans involving Arlington Heights and potential moves outside Illinois, including nearby Indiana, are already under discussion as alternative solutions.
At the same time, federal pressure through the proposed “Home Team Act” could complicate any relocation timeline, adding legal and structural hurdles to any move.
That leaves the Bears navigating a narrow path between financial reality and regulatory resistance.
“If the numbers no longer make sense, everything changes,” one league source noted. “And right now, Chicago is trending in the wrong direction.”
For McCaskey and the organization, the message is becoming increasingly clear.
If the financial landscape continues to shift against them, the Bears may not wait for long-term resolutions.
They could act fast.
And Chicago could be at risk of losing one of its most historic franchises sooner than expected.
