McCaskey Family

Who owns the Chicago Bears?
The McCaskey family owns approximately 77.5% of the Chicago Bears, with the Ryan family holding the remaining approximately 22.5%. The McCaskey family's ownership dates to 1920 when George Halas founded the franchise. Following the death of Virginia Halas McCaskey in February 2025, her son George McCaskey serves as the franchise's control person and chairman of the board.

Is the McCaskey family ownership publicly traded?
No, the McCaskey family's ownership of the Chicago Bears is not publicly traded. It operates as a private family ownership structure. The Bears are one of the few NFL franchises not owned by a billionaire or corporate entity, maintaining a family business structure that has been in place for over 100 years.

How much are the Chicago Bears worth?
The Chicago Bears are valued at approximately $8.8 billion as of 2025, based on the August 2025 transaction in which the McCaskey and Ryan families absorbed a 2% stake from the late Andrew McKenna. Forbes valued the team at $8.2 billion, while CNBC valued it at $8.9 billion. The franchise has appreciated from $100 in 1920 to approximately $8.8 billion, one of the greatest asset appreciations in sports history.

Who is the control person for the Chicago Bears?
George McCaskey serves as the franchise's control person, the designated individual who represents the team to the NFL on ownership matters. He has served as chairman of the board since 2011 and became control person following the death of his mother Virginia McCaskey in February 2025.

When did Virginia McCaskey die?
Virginia Halas McCaskey died in February 2025 at age 102. She had served as principal owner of the Bears since 1983, when she inherited control from her father George Halas. She was the first woman to serve as the primary owner of an NFL franchise and the longest-tenured owner in the league at the time of her death.

How much revenue do the Chicago Bears generate?
The Bears reported approximately $627 million in total revenue for 2025, with EBITDA of approximately $74 million. The team carries minimal debt at approximately 1% of franchise value. Revenue is generated through NFL national revenue sharing, ticket sales, sponsorships, merchandise, and game-day operations at Soldier Field.

Will the McCaskey family sell the Bears?
The McCaskey family has consistently expressed their intention to maintain ownership of the Bears indefinitely. Family members have often stated they plan to own the team "until the second coming." Despite the franchise's massive appreciation in value to $8.8 billion, the family has shown no interest in selling, prioritizing tradition and legacy over financial optimization.

What is the McCaskey family's relationship with the Ryan family?
The Ryan family, led by Pat Ryan Sr., owns approximately 22.5% of the Bears. Pat Ryan Sr. and Andrew McKenna purchased approximately 20% of the team from two of Halas's grandchildren in 1990. The Ryans have since added a small amount of equity and are among the largest minority shareholders in the NFL. The McCaskey and Ryan families are the only two families invested in the Bears.

George Halas founded the Chicago Bears franchise in 1920, originally as the Decatur Staleys. The team relocated to Chicago in 1921 and was renamed the Bears in 1922. Halas purchased the franchise for $100, making the current $8.8 billion valuation a return of approximately 88 million times the original investment over 105 years. Halas was instrumental in founding the NFL itself and served as a coach, owner, and league visionary throughout his life.

When George Halas died in 1983, his majority share of the team was distributed among his 13 grandchildren, including Virginia McCaskey's 11 children and two other grandchildren. Virginia controlled the voting power of those shares, amounting to approximately 80% voting control. She became the principal owner and oversaw the franchise for over 40 years, during which the team made 14 playoff appearances and reached two Super Bowls, including the iconic 1985 Super Bowl XX championship.

In 1990, two of Halas's grandchildren sold their shares to Chicago business magnate Pat Ryan Sr. and his partner Andrew McKenna, who collectively purchased approximately 20% of the team. This sale provided liquidity for some family members and brought in outside investors while maintaining McCaskey family control. The Ryan family has since added a small amount of equity and remains the only other family invested in the Bears.

Virginia McCaskey died in February 2025 at age 102. Her passing raised questions about succession and estate planning, given the complex family ownership structure. Her 20% direct stake will likely be distributed among family members to manage estate tax implications. George McCaskey, her son, was already serving as chairman of the board and was designated as the franchise's control person with the NFL.

In August 2025, the McCaskey and Ryan families reached an agreement to absorb the approximately 2% stake held by the late Andrew McKenna, who died in 2023. The transaction valued the Bears at approximately $8.8 billion, setting a new valuation record for the NFL at the time. After the transaction closes, the McCaskey family will own approximately 77.5% of the Bears, with the Ryan family holding the remainder. Edward L. McCaskey, grandson of Virginia and son of board secretary Patrick McCaskey, was named to the seven-member board, representing the next generation of family involvement.

On the football side, the Bears hired Ben Johnson as head coach in January 2025. Johnson previously served as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, where he helped Detroit rank in the top three in the NFL for total offense for three straight seasons. The Bears are building around quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2024 first overall draft pick.

The McCaskey family's sustainability and ethics considerations are tied to the Chicago Bears organization's community initiatives. The Bears Care foundation supports programs in education, youth development, and health in the Chicago area. The organization has been involved in community outreach for decades, leveraging the team's cultural significance to support local causes.

The family's ethical reputation is generally positive, with Virginia McCaskey widely respected for her stewardship of the franchise and her commitment to maintaining the team's Chicago identity. The family's decision to retain ownership despite the franchise's massive appreciation is viewed as a commitment to tradition over financial optimization.

The Bears organization has faced criticism over the years for on-field performance struggles, with the team making only 14 playoff appearances in Virginia McCaskey's 40-plus years as owner. The team's last Super Bowl appearance was in 2006 (Super Bowl XLI, lost to the Indianapolis Colts), and the franchise has had only one playoff win since 2010. This on-field futility has tested fan patience, though the family's commitment to the city and the franchise's historic significance have maintained strong fan loyalty.

The organization is not a Certified B Corporation and does not publish a standalone sustainability report. Environmental initiatives are limited to stadium operations and community programs.

• NFL Founding Franchise: The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL's founding franchises, with George Halas instrumental in establishing the league in 1920.
• Super Bowl XX Championship (1985): The 1985 Bears won Super Bowl XX with one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history, a cultural milestone that remains central to the franchise's identity.
• Longest Continuous Family Ownership: The McCaskey/Halas family has maintained ownership of the Bears for over 100 years, making it one of the longest continuous family ownerships in professional sports.
• Virginia McCaskey Legacy: Virginia Halas McCaskey served as principal owner from 1983 to 2025, becoming the first woman to serve as the primary owner of an NFL franchise and the longest-tenured owner in the league at the time of her death.
• $8.8 Billion Valuation Record: The August 2025 McKenna stake transaction valued the Bears at approximately $8.8 billion, setting a new NFL valuation record at the time.

Estate Tax Implications: Virginia McCaskey's death in February 2025 raised significant estate tax questions. Her 20% direct stake in a franchise valued at $8.8 billion represents a substantial estate tax burden. The family will likely distribute shares among multiple family members to manage this burden, but the complex ownership structure involving 13 grandchildren and subsequent generations creates ongoing estate planning challenges. The NFL has specific rules regarding ownership succession, and the family must navigate both tax law and league regulations.

Stadium Controversy: The Bears' stadium situation has been a source of controversy for years. Soldier Field is one of the oldest and smallest stadiums in the NFL, limiting revenue generation. The team's exploration of a new stadium has involved multiple potential sites, including Arlington Heights (where the team purchased a 326-acre site) and the Chicago lakefront. Political tensions between the team and the city of Chicago over stadium financing and location have been ongoing, with residents and politicians divided on public funding for a new stadium.

On-Field Performance: The Bears' prolonged period of on-field futility has drawn scrutiny and criticism. The team has had only one playoff win since 2010 and has cycled through numerous head coaches and quarterbacks. The hiring of Ben Johnson in January 2025 and the selection of Caleb Williams as the first overall pick in the 2024 draft represent the latest attempt to reverse this trend, but the franchise's history of failed rebuilds has created skepticism among fans and media.

Ownership Structure Complexity: The McCaskey family's ownership structure, described as "more of a family business than a modern ownership group," has been scrutinized as the franchise's valuation has grown. The complex distribution of shares among Halas's 13 grandchildren and subsequent generations creates potential for disagreements over ownership and direction. The August 2025 McKenna stake resolution demonstrated that the family and the Ryans can resolve ownership questions amicably, but future succession events could be more contentious.