The Chicago Fire's Return to Soldier Field Seems Like a Win for the Sloop Also

In case you missed this one, looks like the Sloop is going to have more events in the neighborhood starting next year (via Chicago Tribune):

The Chicago Fire’s return to Soldier Field is official.

At a news conference Tuesday morning at the iconic stadium, the Fire announced an agreement to play at the home of the Bears starting in 2020, ending a 14-season stint at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview and returning to the 61,500-seat venue in the South Loop. 

Financial terms of the deal, which runs through the 2022 Major League Soccer season with extension options for eight more years, were not disclosed. Fire owner and Chairman Joe Mansueto, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Michael Kelly made the announcement.

On the whole this seems like a good thing for most everyone in the equation.  Most importantly in our eyes is that the neighborhood and businesses around the Sloop will benefit from a more lively vibe and money flowing through our local establishments.

On the flip side, some of those positives could also be seen as a negatives.  More traffic, more headaches getting around, more often.  That said, still seems like the net impact is positive in our opinion.