While there "are no indications the Bears are for
sale," former Bears RB Walter Payton has "put together a
consortium" including Michael Jordan and Oprah Winfrey, and
"has approached the McCaskey family about buying controlling
interest of the team," according to Dan Pompei of the
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. A Pompei source said, "Walter has tried
to push the idea." Any decision to sell the Bears
"ultimately would be made by Virginia McCaskey," the
daughter of George Halas. She has controlling interest in
the team and "has always been adamant about keeping the
Bears in the family." Pompei writes that "if she were to
sell to anyone, Payton likely would be at the top of her
list," as he was made a member of the team's Board of Dir
following his retirement in '87 (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/14).
KEEPING SCORE: Meanwhile, the Chicago Park District "is
exploring the possibility" of buying a high-tech scoreboard
for Soldier Field "to bolster revenue and entice the Bears
to sign on for five more years," according to Fran Spielman
of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Park District Superintendent
Forrest Claypool said that "enhancing revenue opportunities
from scoreboard advertising" is being researched. The
team's lease expires in '99, and the Park District wants the
team to sign on for five more years. The Bears "would like
a two-year extension or year-to-year" (SUN-TIMES, 11/14).
