Sanders Pushes Bill to Prevent Chicago Bears Move to Indiana

The 'Home Team Act' would give local fans a year to buy the team before owners can relocate.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 11:33pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and waves of color in shades of navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange, conceptually representing the political tensions and motion surrounding the potential relocation of the Chicago Bears football team.The proposed relocation of the Chicago Bears sparks a political tug-of-war between Illinois and Indiana, as lawmakers scramble to keep the team in its historic home city.Hammond Today

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) have introduced the 'Home Team Act,' a bill that would require professional sports teams seeking a new home to give the local community one year to buy the team before the owners can relocate. The bill aims to prevent team owners from getting a sweeter deal to relocate at the expense of taxpayers.

Why it matters

The proposed move of the Chicago Bears from Illinois to Hammond, Indiana has sparked a political battle, with Sanders and Casar arguing that the bill would protect local fans and taxpayers from being exploited by billionaire team owners. However, Indiana officials have argued that their state has put together a competitive offer for the Bears that includes the team investing $2 billion.

The details

The 'Home Team Act' would require professional sports teams to give their home city or state one year to purchase the team before the owners can relocate. Sanders and Casar said the bill would prevent team owners from pitting taxpayers against each other to get the best deal. Indiana's governor has called the bill 'crazy' and said Hoosiers won't tolerate government control over business transactions, while an Indiana state representative said the bill doesn't account for the financial details of the Bears' potential move to Hammond.

  • On March 28, 2026, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) introduced the 'Home Team Act'.
  • The Illinois General Assembly has until the end of May 2026 to finalize a counteroffer to keep the Bears in Illinois.

The players

Bernie Sanders

A U.S. Senator from Vermont who introduced the 'Home Team Act' to prevent professional sports teams from relocating without giving the local community a chance to buy the team first.

Greg Casar

A U.S. Representative from Texas who co-introduced the 'Home Team Act' with Sen. Sanders.

Eric Holcomb

The Governor of Indiana, who called the 'Home Team Act' 'crazy' and said Hoosiers won't tolerate government control over business transactions.

Earl Harris, Jr.

An Indiana state representative who said he understands the intent of the 'Home Team Act' but believes it doesn't account for the financial details of the Bears' potential move to Hammond, Indiana.

Laura Wilson

A political science professor at the University of Indianapolis who believes the 'Home Team Act' is unlikely to become law, as it is not a priority for most legislators or voters.

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What they’re saying

“'If you're a fan watching at home, yes, this is a 'Keep the Bears in Chicago' bill. If no one wants to buy the team and keep it in the home city, then the owner could move it.'”

— Greg Casar, U.S. Representative

“'Indiana taxpayers are now put in a competition against Illinois taxpayers to subsidize a team worth $8 billion. It's possible to have much better deals if you aren't negotiating with a gun to your head, like we're seeing right now in Illinois.'”

— Greg Casar, U.S. Representative

“'We should not let a handful—the greed of a handful of billionaires—make it hard for working-class families to enjoy their local teams.'”

— Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator

“'…Hoosiers won't tolerate government control over who can buy or sell a business … I ran for governor because nothing gets done in D.C., and largely due to wasting time on crazy ideas like this.'”

— Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana

“'It's not a free stadium for the Bears. They're putting in $2 billion, so that's a hefty amount … everything I've heard is that things are moving forward and that at some point, hopefully sooner than later, there'll be a wonderful announcement about the Bears coming to Northwest Indiana.'”

— Earl Harris, Jr., Indiana State Representative

What’s next

The Illinois General Assembly has until the end of May 2026 to finalize a counteroffer to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, in response to the team's potential move to Hammond, Indiana.

The takeaway

This political battle over the Chicago Bears' potential relocation highlights the ongoing tensions between team owners, local communities, and lawmakers when it comes to professional sports franchises and taxpayer-funded stadium deals. The 'Home Team Act' aims to give local fans more power, but faces an uphill battle against pro-business interests in Indiana.