Who Owns Chicago Bears?
Chicago Bears are owned by the McCaskey family, who have controlled the team since its founding in 1920. Virginia Halas McCaskey served as principal owner from 1983 until her death in 2025, with ownership remaining in the McCaskey family through a trust structure.
Parent Company
McCaskey Family Trust
Founded
1920
Status
Private
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Who Owns Chicago Bears?
- Parent Company: McCaskey Family Trust
- Ownership Type: Family owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | McCaskey Family Trust | Family owned |
History of Chicago Bears
- Founded: 1920
- Founders: George Halas, Edward "Dutch" Sternaman
The Chicago Bears franchise was founded in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys in Decatur, Illinois, by George Halas and Edward "Dutch" Sternaman. The team moved to Chicago in 1921 and became the Chicago Staleys before adopting the Bears name in 1922.
George Halas, known as "Papa Bear," led the team as player, coach, and owner for decades, establishing the Bears as one of the NFL's most storied franchises. Under Halas's leadership, the Bears won nine NFL championships and became known for their tough, defensive-minded style of play.
Following George Halas's death in 1983, ownership passed to his daughter Virginia Halas McCaskey, who became the first woman principal owner in NFL history. Under her leadership, the team maintained its family ownership structure while adapting to the modern NFL era of massive franchise values and complex business operations.
The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field on Chicago's lakefront, one of the NFL's most iconic venues. The team has won nine NFL championships and remains one of the league's most valuable and recognizable franchises.
About McCaskey Family Trust
The McCaskey Family Trust operates as the ownership entity for the Chicago Bears NFL franchise. The trust's business involves managing all aspects of team operations, including football operations, business administration, and strategic planning.
The trust generates revenue through various NFL revenue streams including television contracts, ticket sales, sponsorships, merchandise, and other game-day revenue. As NFL franchise owners, the family trust participates in league revenue sharing and benefits from the overall growth of the NFL's media rights and commercial success.
The trust employs approximately 200 people through the Chicago Bears organization, including football operations staff, business administration, and game-day personnel. The family maintains active involvement in major decisions while delegating day-to-day operations to professional management.
- Founded: 1920
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
Where Is Chicago Bears Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Soldier Field (home venue)
Chicago Bears Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Historic family ownership spanning over a century
- +Strong brand recognition and loyal fan base
- +Tradition and stability valued by long-time supporters
- +Deep community ties and Chicago market presence
- +NFL franchise value appreciation over decades
Considerations
- -Family succession challenges and estate planning complexity
- -Limited capital resources compared to wealthy individual owners
- -Pressure to maintain competitive spending in modern NFL
- -Balancing tradition with need for business innovation
- -Estate tax implications for family ownership transitions
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago Bears
Competitors to Chicago Bears
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers Inc | USA | 1919 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Guggenheim Baseball Management | USA | 1883 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Twg Global | USA | 1947 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Rogers Communications | Canada | 1977 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Green Bay Packers
Owned by Green Bay Packers, Inc.
Professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, uniquely owned by a publicly held nonprofit corporation with community shareholders.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Owned by Guggenheim Baseball Management
American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California, competing in MLB's National League West division.
Los Angeles Lakers
Owned by TWG Global
Professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, competing in the NBA's Western Conference.
Toronto Blue Jays
Owned by Rogers Communications Inc.
Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, competing in MLB's American League East division.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Chicago Bears competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Jobs at McCaskey Family Trust
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