The Great Bear Hunt: States Battle for a New NFL Home
In the ongoing search for a new home for the Bears, it's not just Illinois' neighboring state Indiana that's showing interest. Iowa has thrown its hat into the ring, and the proposal is raising some eyebrows.
According to David Rumsey from Front Office Sports, seven Iowa state senators have put forward a bill with a bold plan. They want to modify the "Major Economic Growth Attraction" program to include incentives for building a professional sports stadium specifically for an NFL franchise in Iowa.
State Senator Kerry Gruenhagen explained the motivation behind the bill, stating, "We want to show the team in our neighboring state that we are ready and willing to accommodate them if their home state doesn't.
However, here's where it gets controversial. While Iowa's interest is genuine, the practicality of the proposal is questionable. Moving the Bears to Iowa would still keep them within the Chicago area, but it's a significant distance. Davenport, on the Iowa-Illinois border, is a 175-mile journey from Chicago, and Des Moines, Iowa's largest city, is a whopping 334 miles away.
So, while Iowa's senators are enthusiastic, their proposal seems more like a long shot than a serious contender.
But here's the twist: with Illinois, Indiana, and now Iowa all vying for the Bears, why not Idaho? Could the Gem State be the dark horse in this race?
What do you think? Is Iowa's proposal a clever strategy or a far-fetched dream? And could Idaho be the ultimate winner in this battle for the Bears? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
