Robbie Gould Knows Chicago Super Bowl Unlikely

" When Roger Goodell and Rahm Emanuel met to tout Soldier Field's green designation, they also discussed the possibility of a Super Bowl. While Rog nodded, smiled and appeared to be open to a Windy City Super Bowl, we all knew what he was thinking: Never gonna happen.

Sports consultant Marc Ganis told the Chicago Tribune the Bears dropped the ball on a stadium that would bring the best events to Chicago years ago.

"Had Chicago and Illinois built the McDome (in 1996), the original domed stadium planned for next to McCormick Place, I suspect we would have had at least two Super Bowls already," Ganis said.

"It was extremely short-sighted; it was extremely narrow focus. … It would have cost (less than what it eventually) cost simply to upgrade Soldier Field. It would have been a terrific financial and tourism boost for the city."

In the '90s, "McDome" became a political football between the city and state's government leaders. Bears then-president Mike McCaskey and Illinois governor Jim Edgar pushed the building of a domed stadium south of Soldier Field, next to McCormick Place. The Illinois legislature rejected the idea. Mayor Richard Daley responded to the threat of moving to the Bears to northwest Indiana with a plan that would renovate Soldier Field and add a retractable roof. It was rejected, McCaskey was replaced as president by Ted Phillips, and Soldier Field was renovated to what it is today. "

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