The Chicago White Sox have played at Guaranteed Rate Field on Chicago’s south side for more than 33 years. But could a new stadium be in the works?
According to a report from the Sun-Times, the team is considering relocating to a parcel of land in the South Loop known as “The 78.”
Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf issued a joint statement to NBC Chicago on the report, saying that both entities have been engaged in discussions about the team’s future home. The statement did not offer specifics on the proposed South Loop project.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson and White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf met to discuss the historic partnership between the team and Chicago and the team’s ideas for remaining competitive in Chicago in perpetuity,” the statement read. “The partnership between the city and the team goes back more than a century and the Johnson administration is committed to continuing this dialogue moving forward.”
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During an unrelated press conference Thursday, Gov. Pritzker responded to a question about the potential new stadium, and whether or not the state would provide financial assistance for a move.
“Nobody’s made an ask yet,” Pritzker replied, reiterating his views against using public funds to pay for private facilities.
“Having said that, I mean, there are things that government does to support business all across the state, investing in infrastructure, making sure that we’re, you know, supporting the success of business in Illinois,” Pritzker added.
The White Sox’ lease at Guaranteed Rate Field expires after the 2029 season.
Here’s an overview of where the White Sox stand now, and how we arrived at these stadium negotiations:
How long have the White Sox played at Guaranteed Rate Field?
The White Sox have played at Guaranteed Rate Field since 1991, when they moved across the street from Comiskey Park.
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