Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, has been rumored to be the frontrunner to purchase the Chicago Bears from the McCaskey family. With a new stadium project in development, a rising star quarterback in Caleb Williams, and a talented young roster, the Bears are looking to secure their future both on and off the field.
One of the major missing pieces for Chicago is a head coach, and this is where San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan could potentially come into play.
The speculation around Bezos taking over the Bears ties into recent rumors from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who reported that the Bears might be interested in pursuing Shanahan.
In theory, the interest could be mutual, with Shanahan possibly considering a fresh start with a new organization. Shanahan, who has been with the 49ers since 2017, may be intrigued by the possibility of joining a team with a promising young quarterback and the financial backing that Bezos could provide.
Bezos, worth over $230 billion, has previously expressed interest in owning an NFL team, and acquiring the Bears could be an enticing opportunity for him to enter the exclusive ranks of NFL ownership. Bezos’ immense wealth would give him the ability to make an offer that the McCaskey family would find difficult to refuse. The potential for a state-of-the-art stadium and the ability to build a powerhouse team could also align with Bezos’ vision of leaving a lasting legacy in the world of sports.
However, not everyone is on board with the idea of Bezos stepping into the NFL spotlight in Chicago. Bears Chairman George McCaskey allegedly spotted the rumors circulating on social media and made an uncharacteristically direct response.
McCaskey emphatically stated that the team is not for sale, putting an apparent end to the speculation—at least for now. McCaskey’s firm response suggests that the Bears intend to keep the franchise within the family, despite the allure of a big-money buyout from one of the world’s wealthiest individuals.
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That said, the interest in the Bears from someone as high-profile as Jeff Bezos is not entirely surprising. Silicon Valley and the broader San Francisco Peninsula have no shortage of wealthy investors capable of buying an NFL franchise, each with fortunes equivalent to the GDP of small nations.
Bezos’ rumored pursuit of the Bears is just the latest in a string of whispers tying him to NFL ownership opportunities.
With the soaring valuations of professional sports teams and the increasing costs associated with running them—driven by massive broadcasting rights deals and rising player salaries—NFL franchises are becoming ever more attractive to billionaires seeking high-profile investments.
The Bears aren’t the only team that could appeal to Bezos, given his financial muscle and previous interest in the Washington Commanders. For the time being, however, it seems that Bezos will have to direct his attention elsewhere, as the Bears appear committed to staying under McCaskey control.
Meanwhile, speculation about the Bears’ interest in Kyle Shanahan continues to swirl. The 49ers coach has been a key figure in San Francisco’s success over recent years, but rumors have emerged suggesting that not all is perfect behind the scenes.
Ownership reportedly grew frustrated with the significant upfront cash commitments Shanahan requested to extend key players like Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Trent Williams.
With the cost of owning and operating a professional sports team continuing to skyrocket, even the York family—owners of the 49ers—indicated that they were scaling back spending after several years of significant outlays.
If the financial dynamics become too restrictive in San Francisco, Shanahan might view the Chicago Bears as a chance to start anew, potentially with a fresh ownership group willing to spend big on building a contender.
While the idea of Jeff Bezos taking control of the Bears and bringing in a high-profile coach like Kyle Shanahan is intriguing, it appears that, for now, the McCaskey family is holding firm. Bezos may still be waiting in the wings for his chance to enter the NFL, but the Bears will remain a family-owned team—at least until further notice.
With Bezos’ ambition and financial clout, it may only be a matter of time before another NFL franchise becomes linked to his name, but Chicago does not seem to be that team for now.
