Midwest Bears? Lake Michigan Bears? Here’s what a rebrand could look like for the NFL team
As the Chicago Bears consider relocating to a stadium in Hammond, Indiana, a team name change is not off the table. Here’s what that could look like.
For more than 100 years, the Chicago Bears have been exactly that - Chicago’s team. But as the franchise edges closer to a potential move to northwest Indiana, that history may finally change as they may consider a rebrand.
In a statement addressing the possibility of building a new stadium in Indiana, team president Kevin Warren emphasized “honoring both our historic roots and our future home” and acknowledged that any decision about the team’s name or identity would be made “thoughtfully.”
New state, new name? The case for a regional name for the Bears
If the Bears build a domed stadium near Hammond, Indiana, roughly 18 miles from Soldier Field, they would no longer be playing in the state of Illinois. While plenty of teams keep city names after suburban moves, a move across a state border is different. It introduces political, cultural and branding questions.
Warren referenced “the Midwest region,” not just Chicago. Several other sports franchises have done this, offering a road map to regional branding. The New England Patriots represent six states. The NBA’s Golden State Warriors use a statewide identity. And the Carolina Panthers represent both North and South Carolina. A regional pivot would allow the Bears to maintain ties to Chicago while also embracing Indiana.
So… what would the Bears be called?
Here’s where it gets interesting. These are some speculative possibilities:
- Midwest Bears
- Great Lakes Bears
- Lake Michigan Bears
- Chicagoland Bears
- Illinois-Indiana Bears
- Northern Bears
Or, of course, they could lean into Indiana and become the Indiana Bears, though that seems like the least likely path given the franchise’s Chicago history. For now, the team has not announced a name change. The current focus is stadium development.
But by even acknowledging that “identity” decisions are part of the conversation, Warren opened the door to speculation.
The Bears are one of the NFL’s founding franchises. Their name is intertwined with Chicago’s sports culture, from Soldier Field winters to decades of NFC North battles. Dropping “Chicago” would be seismic. But keeping it while playing in another state would be complicated.
Would Illinois lawmakers be thrilled about subsidizing infrastructure for a team that might not carry the state’s name? Would Indiana officials prefer branding that reflects their investment? It’s not only the marketing, but also the politics that must be considered.
But as we know, sports teams don’t just represent geography. They represent history and memories. Generations grew up saying “Chicago Bears” as a single phrase. It’s stitched into jerseys, merchandise and tradition. A regional name might make business sense or smooth political negotiations. But it’ll still be a hard pill to swallow for the longtime fans.
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