The Fire are much closer to leaving Bridgeview and returning to Soldier Field. Whether they come back to Chicago as the Fire is still in question.
According to a report Wednesday by the Desplaines Valley News, the Village of Bridgeview on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding with the Fire to amend the team’s lease. The news is another step toward the team’s expected to move back to Chicago and Soldier Field.
The report says the Fire would pay $60.5 million to leave SeatGeek Stadium. The lease runs through 2036.
During a pre-planned media roundtable before the Fire’s 5-0 win over New England, team president and general manager Nelson Rodriguez said the team’s ownership has been in discussions with Bridgeview for “some time.” Other than that, Rodriguez said he had no comment and is not involved in the negotiations.
Rodriguez said nothing has been signed. He did not confirm or discuss details of the memorandum.
It’s also uncertain the Fire name will remain.
The club is conducting focus groups, with some scoffing at a new name because of the history of the Fire moniker. Some, Rodriguez said, wondered why the team would be named after a civic tragedy.
There will be talks with more fans and focus groups, and other recent name changes in MLS will be further examined. The popularity of the NBC show “Chicago Fire” and the logo’s resemblance to local fire departments’ are also factors for Rodriguez.
“Those are personal opinions,” Rodriguez said. “My personal opinion won’t carry the day. Input from fans, input from the league, input from design professionals, of course our ownership will have a say. What I’m saying is nothing’s off the table.”
The Fire’s long-term home is another question that needs to be answered. There has been no formal announcement the team is going back to Soldier Field, and the 61,500-seat lakefront arena would not be a suitable venue to host the Fire for long.
As for a permanent home, the possibility of the vacant Michael Reese Hospital site has surfaced. Purchased for a potential Olympic Village for a Games that never came to Chicago, the land has been a financial burden for the city.
Speaking to the Sun-Times earlier this week, outgoing Planning and Development Commissioner David Reifman said there is a “long-term idea” to build a soccer stadium on the site that could be a future home for the team, if and when the Fire return to Chicago.
That was before the recent developments emerged.
Rodriguez was asked about the report and said the team has not been involved in any “planning or discussions” for a stadium away from Bridgeview.
“We have great fans and the stadium that we play in is one we’ll defend with honor and pride,” Rodriguez said.
Nemanja Nikolic had two first-half goals for the Fire, who broke a three-game winless streak. Brandt Bronico and Nicolas Gaitan added second-half scores.
The Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman contributed to this report.
