Latest news with #Halas
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Today in Chicago History: Century of Progress — the second World's Fair hosted by the city — opens
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 27, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) High temperature: 97 degrees (2018) Low temperature: 33 degrees (1992) Precipitation: 1.92 inches (2019) Snowfall: Trace (2001) 1933: Century of Progress — the city's second world's fair — opened in Chicago. 1968: Chicago Bears owner George Halas, 73, announced his retirement as the team's head coach. Halas finished with a regular-season record of 318-148-31 in 40 seasons. Ben Johnson is the 19th Chicago Bears head coach. Here's a look at how past coaches fared — and why they left. Halas named Jim Dooley, a longtime assistant and former player, to replace him. Halas' 1968 send-off of 'Good luck, kid' to his successor immediately turned to bad luck and haunted Dooley through season records of 7-7, 1-13, 6-8 and 6-8. Enthusiastic and innovative, a true 'football man,' Dooley presided over four of the darkest and worst years in Bears history. 1993: The $618 million International Terminal was unveiled at O'Hare International Airport. The 1.2 million-square-foot, glass-and-steel building with dramatic, curving roof and skylights was completed following more than two years of construction. This facility, officially named Terminal 5, included 21 gates, 156 ticket counters and was estimated to handle 4 million passengers annually. It was the last project of a $2 billion O'Hare revitalization and expansion program begun a decade earlier. The terminal was expanded in 2023. 2012: Paul Konerko hit a tie-breaking three-run home run — his 400th with the Chicago White Sox — in a 12-6 win over the Cleveland Indians. The offensive outburst gave the Sox nine or more runs in four consecutive games. The White Sox last accomplished that feat June 27-30, 1938. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@ and mmather@
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bought for $100, now worth over $6 billion: Why the Chicago Bears might just be the smartest investment in the history of professional sports
From $100 to $6 billion: How the Chicago Bears became the greatest sports investment in history (Chicago Bears) Imagine owning your favorite pro sports team — being in that exclusive inner circle where decisions shape legacies and fortunes. For most people, that's a fantasy reserved for video games and dreams. The reality? Team ownership is the ultimate billionaire's playground. Even the most underperforming franchises are worth hundreds of millions, while championship-caliber teams demand valuations in the billions. It's a club reserved for the ultra-wealthy, with even minor league ventures often proving to be financial sinkholes. How the Chicago Bears turned pocket change into a $6 billion empire over 100 historic years But every rule has an exception, and in the world of professional sports investments, the Chicago Bears are that golden outlier. What began as a modest $100 investment by George Halas in 1920 has now evolved into one of the most iconic and valuable franchises in sports history. That original $100 — equivalent to about $1,500 today — wouldn't even get you a lower-level ticket at Soldier Field now. But it did give Halas complete control of a fledgling football team back then. Fast forward to 2025, and the Bears are worth over $6 billion. It's arguably the greatest investment story in American sports history. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fashion Design Courses Fashion College Learn More Undo What makes this tale even more fascinating is that the Halas family still owns the franchise. Virginia Halas McCaskey, daughter of George Halas, is currently the principal owner. Her family's long-standing control over the Bears is one of the last remaining examples of generational ownership in the NFL , a league now defined by hedge funds, tech moguls, and corporate giants. Despite the lack of recent on-field success, the value of the Bears continues to skyrocket. A big reason for that lies in the NFL's growth into a financial juggernaut. From humble beginnings, the league has ballooned into a $20 billion empire. Television rights, global marketing, and the rise of fantasy football have turned franchises into billion-dollar businesses, whether they win or not. The Bears may not have added much silverware in the Super Bowl era, with just one Lombardi Trophy secured in 1985, but their legacy stretches far beyond titles. They've won 8 NFL Championships, mostly in the pre-merger days, and their longstanding rivalry with the Green Bay Packers — which began in 1921 — remains the oldest continuous rivalry in the league. The franchise's iconic orange-and-blue colors draw inspiration from the University of Illinois, and their nickname 'Bears' was a nod to the Chicago Cubs, symbolizing the bond between baseball and football in the city. But make no mistake — things are changing fast in Chicago. With a new stadium project looming and the dawn of the Ben Johnson era on the horizon, the Bears are entering a transformative chapter. They'll kick off the 2025 NFL season under the bright lights of Monday Night Football, hosting the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. This will be more than just a game — it will mark a new beginning for a team that's hungry to return to relevance. Before the regular season kicks off, Chicago will play three preseason games starting in early August, with two of those at home. With an extra road game on the schedule this year, the chance to showcase their talent in front of home fans during the preseason becomes even more valuable. While most of us can only fantasize about owning an NFL team, stories like that of the Chicago Bears keep the dream alive. 'Could you imagine purchasing an NFL franchise for $100?' That's not just a rhetorical question — it's a testament to how vision, timing, and belief can turn the improbable into a legacy worth billions. In an era where sports are driven by data, deals, and deep pockets, the Bears' journey is definitely a reminder that even the biggest success stories often begin with something small — like $100 and a dream. Also Read: "There nothing American about the 'Commanders'": Fans disapprove Washington team owner Marjorie Harris' "America's Team" claim Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
