The White Sox have had “serious” discussions with a developer about the potential for building a new stadium in Chicago’s South Loop on a parcel of land known as “The 78,” per a report from Fran Spielman, Tim Novak and David Roeder of the Chicago Sun-Times. The team’s current lease at Guaranteed Rate Field runs through the 2029 season.
None of the involved parties would offer on-record comments to the Sun-Times; Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson responded to inquiries with a joint statement:
It’s been more than 30 years since the current stadium — originally referred to as Comiskey Park and then U.S. Cellular Field before adopting its current moniker following the 2016 season — opened back in 1991. “New” Comiskey was built across the street from “Old” Comiskey Park after a last-minute agreement on funding halted the team’s expected move to Florida (St. Petersburg, specifically, where the Rays currently play). Renovations to the new facility have occurred over the years and focused on a variety of elements both within and around the stadium: adding new HD video boards, expanding (and later subtracting from) seating capacity, modernizing the concourse, expanding concessions and installing a new nearby transit station are among the myriad projects covered under those renovations.
Speculation regarding a potential new stadium for the White Sox began back in August. At the time, Sox vice president of communications Scott Reifert told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin: “We have not had any conversations about our lease situation, but with six years remaining, it is naturally nearing a time where discussions should begin to take place. The conversations would be with the city, ISFA [Illinois Sports Facilities Authority] and the state and most likely would be about vision, opportunities and the future.”
Notably, ISFA chief executive officer Frank Bilecki told the Sun-Times that his organization has not yet been part of the talks. It also seems there’s a possibility of the Sox sharing a portion of the 62-acre site with the University of Illinois, as there are already plans to construct a tech research center on a portion of the parcel in question. Sox fans curious to learn more about the specific logistics of the potential site would be well-served to read the Sun-Times column in full; Spielman, Novak and Roeder spoke extensively with a stadium consultant about how the land could be allotted between the White Sox and the University of Illinois, and the Sun-Times trio also delves into the various means by which public transit could connect to the site (including a possible water taxi service, given the parcel’s proximity to the river).
A new stadium for the White Sox could have ramifications for some of Chicago’s other professional sports teams as well. Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, who currently share Soldier Field with the NFL’s Bears, could potentially move into Guaranteed Rate Field if the Sox indeed construct a new home at The 78, per the report. The Fire’s lease with Soldier Field lasts two more years but could be extended another five years. The Bears, meanwhile, have been exploring a potential new stadium themselves but are focused on other sites, as reported by Spielman and colleague Patrick Finley last month.v
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