Who Owns the Bears? A Tale of Two Halases and Some Other Folks
Let's talk about the Chicago Bears. Not the team itself, but the people who own it. Because let's face it, owning an NFL team is basically like winning the lottery, but instead of numbers, you're picking players. And trust me, that's a much harder game.
The Halas Dynasty: It's a Family Affair
So, who runs the show in Chicago? Well, it’s a family affair, kind of like the Kardashians, but with way less drama (we think). At the helm is Virginia McCaskey, daughter of the legendary George "Papa Bear" Halas. Now, don’t get us wrong, we love a good family business, but when your family name is synonymous with one of the most iconic franchises in sports, there’s a little extra pressure.
Virginia holds a whopping 22.6% of the team, but she’s not doing this solo. She’s got her 11 kids and two nephews chipping in, each with a cool 3.8% stake. We can only imagine the family meetings: "Okay, so who's drafting a kicker this year? And please, no more fighting over the guacamole."
The Outsiders: The Other Half of the Story
But wait, there's more! The McCaskey clan doesn't own the entire team. There are a few other folks in the mix, like Pat Ryan, a former insurance guy who somehow ended up with a chunk of the Bears. We can only assume he made a really good Hail Mary bet.
And then there's the estate of Andrew J. McKenna. Now, we're not sure if he was a big Bears fan or just really good at investing, but either way, his family is now part of the Bears ownership. We're imagining a family crest that looks something like a football helmet with a dollar sign on it.
So, Who's Really in Charge?
While the McCaskey family might have the biggest piece of the pie, Virginia is the one calling the shots. She's basically the CEO, the GM, and the team mom, all rolled into one. And let’s be honest, running a football team is probably easier than wrangling 13 kids.
But here’s the kicker: Even though the McCaskeys have a majority stake, the NFL is a league of checks and balances. So, while Virginia might be the queen bee, she still has to answer to the other owners and the league. It's like a really expensive HOA meeting, but with way higher stakes.
How to Become a Minority Owner of the Chicago Bears (Probably Not)
Okay, so you're probably wondering how you can get in on this action. Well, unless you've got a spare billion or two lying around, it's probably not going to happen. But just in case you're feeling hopeful, here are a few tips:
- How to win the lottery: It's a long shot, but hey, stranger things have happened.
- How to invent time travel: Go back to the early days of the NFL and invest.
- How to become a billionaire: Easier said than done, but it's a start.
- How to marry into the McCaskey family: Love is a gamble, but it could pay off.
- How to find a lost treasure: Pirates did it, why can't you?
Good luck with that!
