The Bears don't need to stay

In his recent letter to the editor, Timothy Walter criticizes Gov. JB Pritzker for not being strong enough to keep the Bears in Illinois. He writes: “The citizens of Illinois overwhelmingly want the Bears to remain in our state.” There is no factual basis for this statement. There is nothing to support the idea that the citizens of Illinois “overwhelmingly want” to keep the “Mobsters of the Midway” from moving to Hammond.

He also writes that the Bears are “not just a sports franchise; they are an economic engine, a cultural institution and a point of statewide pride.” The McCaskey family’s $9 billion privately held company is exactly that and only that — a sports franchise. It is a business that is extraordinarily lucrative for its owners and one that benefits millions of Illinoisans not one bit.

In addition, the Bears are already making money hand over fist playing at historic Soldier Field with a lease agreement that has many years yet to run.

Walter goes on to say that the Bears are “one of the most important organizations in the state” that “Illinois residents care about the most.” Seriously?

In my view, neither of those statements is remotely accurate. I and millions of other Illinoisans couldn’t care less about football and the Bears.

I don’t know if Pritzker is going to run for president. I think he might make a good one. But my definition of “leadership” is standing up for a majority of the citizens of this state and not caving in to the arrogant, clueless and incredibly obnoxious Bears President/CEO Kevin Warren and his hapless bosses.

All the Bears’ threatening talk about moving to Indiana? Their bluff has been called. There’s no need for long goodbyes. Just go already.

Walter will miss you. I won’t.

Thomas Olcese, Arlington Heights