Bears exhibition games at Soldier Field on August 25 and 30 conflict with the CHSKC target date of August 26GETTY IMAGES
The Bears have "exercised their right to veto any events at Soldier Field five days before the team plays" and are doing so with this year's Chicago High School Kickoff Classic, according to Mike Clark of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The Bears will "host exhibition games against the Chiefs" on Aug. 25, and the Bills on Aug. 30. Event Founder and Coordinator Jim McHugh hoped to stage the CHSKC at Soldier Field on Aug. 26, but is now "trying to line up a substitute for this year's matchups." Toyota Park is another option, and has "promised a decision by the end of this week on whether it will host the games." McHugh "expressed disappointment the event won't be at Soldier Field for just the second time ever." In '14, it was played at Toyota Park because Soldier Field was "hosting a pair of One Direction concerts that weekend." A team spokesperson said the Bears "value" the CHSKC but "consider the five-day event blackout preceding each of their games to be a matter of player safety" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/8).
