New Bears Chair George McCaskey Not Planning Radical Changes To Franchise

New Bears Chair George McCaskey is "taking over" the team, but he "isn't looking to make sweeping changes," according to Sean Jensen of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. McCaskey Wednesday said his family, which owns the team, has "complete faith" in Bears President & CEO Ted Phillips. McCaskey: "He's firmly in control of the day-to-day operations. I'm not going to interfere with that. I don't see a need to put a particular stamp or imprint, just for the sake of doing something." McCaskey also reiterated that the Bears "won't lay off any employees and that pay cuts would only happen if games are lost due to the labor dispute." Jensen notes despite the lockout, the Bears "have a 98 percent renewal rate for season tickets, and they have more than 6,000 people on a waiting list" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/10). McCaskey said, "The way I see it, my job is to work with and in support of the president and CEO in creating a climate that's conducive to sustained success" (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 6/10).

GETTING TO KNOW THE BASE: In Chicago, Brad Biggs writes McCaskey is "less recognizable to fans than" former Bears Chair Michael McCaskey, but he "certainly has been more accessible to the public." George McCaskey formerly served as Bears Senior Dir of Ticket Operations, and "for 20 years, he was considered the hardest-working family member in the building, and that's part of what makes this transition interesting." McCaskey "already is achieving his goal of remaining connected with season ticket holders." The Bears are "running regular sessions for groups of 20 at Halas Hall in which McCaskey participates" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/10).