Is “The 78” Dead? Or even more alive? Fire announce plans for SSS

[77 Hitmen]

The Tribune published this from their editorial board today:

Editorial: Finally, a Fired-up future for The 78
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/29/editorial-joe-mansueto-chicago-fire-78-soccer-stadium/

From the article:

"Chicago, as we’ve said before, has reason to be grateful to Mansueto — soccer fans in particular, given how much a bespoke stadium is likely to do for the popularity of the beautiful game in the city."

and 

"The big question now is what happens on the rest of the land. We’ve been told by several folks not to “rule out” a move there by the Chicago White Sox in a second stadium, creating a sports complex that one could even imagine becoming a persuasive part of a future Olympic bid. Theoretically, there is room, although it sounds like Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, will take some convincing. Time will tell.  For now, we’re just celebrating a privately funded project that looks set to score all kinds of goals for the city."

 

I don't know about the future Olympic bid, though.  We already dodged that bullet once.

[Kyyle23]

42 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

The Tribune published this from their editorial board today:

Editorial: Finally, a Fired-up future for The 78
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/29/editorial-joe-mansueto-chicago-fire-78-soccer-stadium/

From the article:

"Chicago, as we’ve said before, has reason to be grateful to Mansueto — soccer fans in particular, given how much a bespoke stadium is likely to do for the popularity of the beautiful game in the city."

and 

"The big question now is what happens on the rest of the land. We’ve been told by several folks not to “rule out” a move there by the Chicago White Sox in a second stadium, creating a sports complex that one could even imagine becoming a persuasive part of a future Olympic bid. Theoretically, there is room, although it sounds like Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, will take some convincing. Time will tell.  For now, we’re just celebrating a privately funded project that looks set to score all kinds of goals for the city."

 

I don't know about the future Olympic bid, though.  We already dodged that bullet once.

Olympic bid just seems impossible.  The occupation of the stadiums in the middle of the summer by an Olympic village plus the Sox and Fire playing their seasons is a lot of hot potato

[nrockway]

38 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

The Tribune published this from their editorial board today:

Editorial: Finally, a Fired-up future for The 78
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/29/editorial-joe-mansueto-chicago-fire-78-soccer-stadium/

From the article:

"Chicago, as we’ve said before, has reason to be grateful to Mansueto — soccer fans in particular, given how much a bespoke stadium is likely to do for the popularity of the beautiful game in the city."

and 

"The big question now is what happens on the rest of the land. We’ve been told by several folks not to “rule out” a move there by the Chicago White Sox in a second stadium, creating a sports complex that one could even imagine becoming a persuasive part of a future Olympic bid. Theoretically, there is room, although it sounds like Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, will take some convincing. Time will tell.  For now, we’re just celebrating a privately funded project that looks set to score all kinds of goals for the city."

 

I don't know about the future Olympic bid, though.  We already dodged that bullet once.

all 30 of them...soccer fans correctly realize that that the MLS is a joke. 

Trib editorial board is so annoying. A "bespoke" stadium, it reads like a sparking water advertisement...they're not using that word correctly. The whole article annoys me, it feels like it was written by a real estate developer.

[77 Hitmen]

13 hours ago, nrockway said:

all 30 of them...soccer fans correctly realize that that the MLS is a joke. 

Trib editorial board is so annoying. A "bespoke" stadium, it reads like a sparking water advertisement...they're not using that word correctly. The whole article annoys me, it feels like it was written by a real estate developer.

It's a bit ironic for a Sox fan to say this about another sports team.  As someone who has been hearing this crack about the Sox for the last 40 years, I'm not going to be the first one to cast a stone at another team's fan support.  

 

[tray]

 

Fred's plan is dead , that's what I said.

[southsider2k5]

14 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said:

The Tribune published this from their editorial board today:

Editorial: Finally, a Fired-up future for The 78
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/29/editorial-joe-mansueto-chicago-fire-78-soccer-stadium/

From the article:

"Chicago, as we’ve said before, has reason to be grateful to Mansueto — soccer fans in particular, given how much a bespoke stadium is likely to do for the popularity of the beautiful game in the city."

and 

"The big question now is what happens on the rest of the land. We’ve been told by several folks not to “rule out” a move there by the Chicago White Sox in a second stadium, creating a sports complex that one could even imagine becoming a persuasive part of a future Olympic bid. Theoretically, there is room, although it sounds like Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, will take some convincing. Time will tell.  For now, we’re just celebrating a privately funded project that looks set to score all kinds of goals for the city."

 

I don't know about the future Olympic bid, though.  We already dodged that bullet once.

This is Chicago for God's sake.  Dude is asking for his bribe.  If he gets what he wants, Sox Park would happen there.  Let's not act like this bit of Aldermanic theater hasn't been going on for the entire history of Chicago.  Aldermen wield the power to shutdown projects in their districts as a hammer to get what they want from something else.  Of course he is "Going to take some convincing".  He's looking for a new pet something.

[Tnetennba]

8 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

This is Chicago for God's sake.  Dude is asking for his bribe.  If he gets what he wants, Sox Park would happen there.  Let's not act like this bit of Aldermanic theater hasn't been going on for the entire history of Chicago.  Aldermen wield the power to shutdown projects in their districts as a hammer to get what they want from something else.  Of course he is "Going to take some convincing".  He's looking for a new pet something.

*She

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/03/alderman_dowell_sbiography.html

[77 Hitmen]

The Bears are saying their new stadium at Arlington Park would have an infrastructure cost of $855M in public funds.  They mention expressway entrance/exit ramps and upgrades to the Metra line that stops at the site as part of that cost.

Also:  "an estimated 370 events a year, with most of those dates being private events and tours, according to the village report. However, there are plans for 10 home Bears games, two college football showcases, two high school football games, one international soccer match, wrestling and boxing events, and eight concerts each year, generating an estimated 1.5 million visitors combined. The team also hopes to occasionally host major events such as the NCAA Final Four, Big Ten championships and a Super Bowl."

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/chicago-bears-stadium-arlington-heights-economic-activity/

[Lip Man 1]

13 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said:

The Bears are saying their new stadium at Arlington Park would have an infrastructure cost of $855M in public funds.  They mention expressway entrance/exit ramps and upgrades to the Metra line that stops at the site as part of that cost.

Also:  "an estimated 370 events a year, with most of those dates being private events and tours, according to the village report. However, there are plans for 10 home Bears games, two college football showcases, two high school football games, one international soccer match, wrestling and boxing events, and eight concerts each year, generating an estimated 1.5 million visitors combined. The team also hopes to occasionally host major events such as the NCAA Final Four, Big Ten championships and a Super Bowl."

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/chicago-bears-stadium-arlington-heights-economic-activity/

“This isn’t a ‘study,’ it’s purchased propaganda,” Kennesaw State University professor of economics J.C. Bradbury said in an email to the Tribune. “It does not use established economic methods for analyzing economic outcomes, and thus its conclusions are not credible … This is a fantasy document.”

[Green Line]

I have a friend of a friend on the ISFA, and he said in negotiations Ishiba is threatening a move to Nashville, not Reinsdorf.

[fathom]

24 minutes ago, Green Line said:

I have a friend of a friend on the ISFA, and he said in negotiations Ishiba is threatening a move to Nashville, not Reinsdorf.

Fantastic….ugh 

The only thing I’ve heard is that the chance they move to Nashville is more possible than anyone thinks

Edited October 1 by fathom

[Lip Man 1]

37 minutes ago, Green Line said:

I have a friend of a friend on the ISFA, and he said in negotiations Ishiba is threatening a move to Nashville, not Reinsdorf.

Then he must know something that others don't since Nashville has gone on record as saying there is zero money available for a new stadium and MLB wants an expansion team there rather than a relocated one because they'll get more money that way.

But if he wants to go then don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

After almost 20 years of incompetence, dysfunction and ineptness it won't bother me one bit (and I never thought I'd say that) 

[BrittBurnsFan]

1 hour ago, Green Line said:

I have a friend of a friend on the ISFA, and he said in negotiations Ishiba is threatening a move to Nashville, not Reinsdorf.

So this businessman who lives in Chicagoland is going to purchase an MLB team at a value that would fit a major market team...and instantly devalue it by moving to a smaller market?  Jerry isn't selling the club at a small market price so Ishbia will be over-paying for the club...won't believe these rumors until it happens (which I doubt is even under legitimate consideration).  

[BrittBurnsFan]

1 hour ago, Green Line said:

I have a friend of a friend on the ISFA, and he said in negotiations Ishiba is threatening a move to Nashville, not Reinsdorf.

Also, what are they negotiating at this point?  An extension to play at the Rate?  Or a new ballpark?  

[Kyyle23]

1 hour ago, Green Line said:

I have a friend of a friend on the ISFA, and he said in negotiations Ishiba is threatening a move to Nashville, not Reinsdorf.

*glass breaks, Stone cold music plays, Tray walks in*

[WBWSF]

If Ishiba  is going to pay for a new stadium, I would think it would be cheaper to build  it in Nashville as opposed to Chicago. If he is in talks  with the ISFA  I would think it would be about extending the lease. I don't think the ISFA  has anything to do with the 78 location.

[fathom]

34 minutes ago, BrittBurnsFan said:

So this businessman who lives in Chicagoland is going to purchase an MLB team at a value that would fit a major market team...and instantly devalue it by moving to a smaller market?  Jerry isn't selling the club at a small market price so Ishbia will be over-paying for the club...won't believe these rumors until it happens (which I doubt is even under legitimate consideration).  

He also owns a team in Nashville, so it’s not like he’s a stranger there.

[Lip Man 1]

21 minutes ago, fathom said:

He also owns a team in Nashville, so it’s not like he’s a stranger there.

Anything is possible but as pointed out it makes little sense financially or from a business perspective. Also MLB, again, wants the expansion money as opposed to relocating a team. 

[fathom]

2 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Anything is possible but as pointed out it makes little sense financially or from a business perspective. Also MLB, again, wants the expansion money as opposed to relocating a team. 

I agree it seems like a long shot on the surface, but people who I thought would alleviate my concerns of a move weren’t able to.

[77 Hitmen]

1 hour ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Then he must know something that others don't since Nashville has gone on record as saying there is zero money available for a new stadium and MLB wants an expansion team there rather than a relocated one because they'll get more money that way.

But if he wants to go then don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

After almost 20 years of incompetence, dysfunction and ineptness it won't bother me one bit (and I never thought I'd say that) 

You bring up good points about Nashville, Lip.

But with all do respect, I have found that it is out of state Sox fans who find it much easier to say it wouldn't bother them one bit if the Sox left town.  

[southsider2k5]

1 hour ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Then he must know something that others don't since Nashville has gone on record as saying there is zero money available for a new stadium and MLB wants an expansion team there rather than a relocated one because they'll get more money that way.

But if he wants to go then don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

After almost 20 years of incompetence, dysfunction and ineptness it won't bother me one bit (and I never thought I'd say that) 

I always find this ironic from people who moved 1000 miles away for better opportunity.

[pcq]

1 hour ago, fathom said:

He also owns a team in Nashville, so it’s not like he’s a stranger there.

In terms of Sox market, Hooterville sounds about right. 

[Lip Man 1]

40 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

I always find this ironic from people who moved 1000 miles away for better opportunity.

Is moving the team to Nashville a "better opportunity"?

Guess it depends on your point of view. 

[southsider2k5]

17 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Is moving the team to Nashville a "better opportunity"?

Guess it depends on your point of view. 

It could absolutely be depending on what the two theoretical offers were going to be.  

[Lip Man 1]

6 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

It could absolutely be depending on what the two theoretical offers were going to be.  

True... but all we know (for now) is that Nashville is a much smaller market, that the Mayor and others have already said public funds for a new stadium will not be available and MLB wants an expansion team there because they could get about 2 billion dollars in expansion fees (according to Sports Illustrated) and would not favor relocating a team.

Based on the above I don't see how that would qualify as being in Ishbia's best interest or a better opportunity. 

Time will tell.