Kevin Warren to be named Bears new CEO

[docc]

pus..if I remember we are similar in age..so I hear you. Watching..drooling oatmeal and a alcohol free "beer"screaming at the window thinking it's the TV...

"Do Something DAMMIT"

Yep..but then the good die young so I should be around awhile

[G08]

Ted Phillips said that it will be an enclosed stadium

[IotaNet]

Ted Phillips said that it will be an enclosed stadium

He actually said that a while back. I read that the benefits of a RR do not outweigh the tremendous extra cost.

[pus]

I hope they get a playing surface that is not injury prone.

[The Cooler King]

I hope they get a playing surface that is not injury prone.

Yea, he kind of shut down my dream of a real turf (Cardinals stadium turf specifically was brought up). He left some room and acknowledged the possible role the NFL may have in determine future of turf solutions.

We'll see... Would love to see them have a great natural grass surface.

[The Marshall Plan]

Ted Phillips said that it will be an enclosed stadium

He actually said that a while back. I read that the benefits of a RR do not outweigh the tremendous extra cost.

As it should be.

This is a massive opportunity for Chicago to attract a Super Bowl, NCAA Tourney, championship fights, the World Cup, you name it.

Building Soldier Field 2.0 out in Arlington Heights does none of that.

[cblaz11]

My friends and I go to 1 bears road game a year…we started doing this 15 years ago. We’ve been to some of the best stadiums in the league including Minnesota, Dallas, Atlanta, and Zona….I’ll say this, the common theme after this seasons game in MN was that was the coolest stadium we’ve ever been to. It’s a dome, but they have created the ability to feel like you’re outside. They have these enormous doors they swing open and the roof is glass. You literally feel like you’re outside without the threat of snow or rain on the field.

On a side note, I really disliked Atlanta. It has perks, but it’s so dark inside. Not an enjoyable experience when comparing to MN.

If we’re trying to copy that, we’re in great shape. As far as the field, the Bears will be investing in the best and safest field imaginable. To think they would spend all that money then go cheap isn’t realistic. Also, they have attributed their commitment to real grass to a lower percentage of ligament issues…They are aware and know what needs to be done.

[dplank]

So Poles reports to Warren, as it should be - good. Warren can oversee the new stadium, but that’s not the only thing he should be doing and he absolutely should sit on top of the football side. This is the top level org change we all were calling for a year ago. McCaskeys are now completely out of the execution side of the business. It feels like this franchise is moving in the right direction!

[The Cooler King]

Finished watching the press conference.

Very press conference-y, as expected. Warren is likable. As someone else said, he comes accross as casual while obviously still serious about his role. He certainly is an attorney, not willing to commit to specifics in areas where he would be speculating. I could actually see long term, if success isn't immediate, that some fans will grow weery of his style.

George is so goofy. His answer about Fields where he feels the need to continually remind us he's not a football evaluator we know man, just answer the question, I swear it's okay.

They also put up a short Phillips Q+A. He was actually more relaxed and likable as I can remember him being in a long time. He's definitely looking forward to retirement. And he was willing to give some pretty straight forward answers without the hedging of George and Kevin. Ah the joy of knowing you're leaving behind responsibility soon and nothing you say now is gonna come back to be used against you

Also a Poles Q+A that I actually cut short because they(him and journalists) just startied repeating themselves. He's "on board" with all the changes which I suppose could be read as a tepid response, but I won't read into it. Think we got at least one "fired up", per usual.

[The Cooler King]

So Poles reports to Warren, as it should be - good. Warren can oversee the new stadium, but that’s not the only thing he should be doing and he absolutely should sit on top of the football side. This is the top level org change we all were calling for a year ago. McCaskeys are now completely out of the execution side of the business. It feels like this franchise is moving in the right direction!

Yea it's doubtful they could have gotten an outside candidate of stature where it would have been any other way, even if they had hired from non NFL ranks.

Even if they wanted to keep that structure, would have only possibly happened if they went internal. More likely though, the structure really wasn't what they wanted, but was always intended to be short term, they just weren't ready to announce to the world Ted's pending retirement. MO

[The Marshall Plan]

McCaskeys are now completely out of the execution side of the business.

The sooner those buffoons move into the Dividend Check Cashing Phase of their ownership status of this team the better off we all will be.

We’ve seen what their football acumen is capable of and I think mankind made more progress during The Bubonic Plague by comparison.

[artbest01]

Thought he was impressive - a very good "front man" - far superior to Ted, who was never suited for being "out front."

That said, team Presidents, from what little I can glean, seem to rarely be major football operation contributors. In New England, the owners son is the team President (Robert Kraft himself is listed as CEO), John York, a member of the ownership family, is the CEO in San Francisco. In Philadelphia, their former CFO is now team President. In Pittsburgh, a Rooney has always been team President.

Warren breaks the mold a bit in the sense that he's a "name" hired from the outside for this role...but, in my view, Ryan Poles will continue, like it or not, to have a fairly long leash to "get this right."

[IE]

My friends and I go to 1 bears road game a year…we started doing this 15 years ago. We’ve been to some of the best stadiums in the league including Minnesota, Dallas, Atlanta, and Zona….I’ll say this, the common theme after this seasons game in MN was that was the coolest stadium we’ve ever been to. It’s a dome, but they have created the ability to feel like you’re outside. They have these enormous doors they swing open and the roof is glass. You literally feel like you’re outside without the threat of snow or rain on the field.

On a side note, I really disliked Atlanta. It has perks, but it’s so dark inside. Not an enjoyable experience when comparing to MN.

If we’re trying to copy that, we’re in great shape. As far as the field, the Bears will be investing in the best and safest field imaginable. To think they would spend all that money then go cheap isn’t realistic. Also, they have attributed their commitment to real grass to a lower percentage of ligament issues…They are aware and know what needs to be done.

I haven't been in it yet - but the Vikes' stadium seems like it is really great. That's what I've heard too. I really hope that's the model for what the Bears are doing to do - enclosed but with wrinkles and high tech design that departs from the classic "domes". If you haven't been to SoFi yet that place is amazing (they did screw up a few things though especially food/vending). But that wouldn't be for Chicago with the open air design. Allegiant in LV is decent but honestly after SoFi all traditional domes are sub-par and to me MN stands out.

I don't think it is a big deal at all to have the new stadium at AP. I know I'll miss the city shots over Soldier Field but I hate the current stadium. We'll still see great Chicago shots on television, and then going to a game will be a better experience. It would be great if they could figure out a way to enhance the train transportation to the game in some way.

A lot of NFL teams don't play in the city they're named after. SoFi might technically not be in LA but it is surrounded by LA so it isn't like they're literally playing somewhere else like the Gints and Jets. The Niners are sort of pushing it. Chicago's Arlington is just as close as Dallas' Arlington. For me I just want the experience of going to a game to be the best - and the current stadium sucks. Unless you have club seats like my sister, and then it is great (I wonder if the PSLs will tranfer or how that will work?).

[Mikefive]

Word on the street is that the new stadium will have new PSLs that customers will have to pony up for.

[Moriarty]

Word on the street is that the new stadium will have new PSLs that customers will have to pony up for.

They always do.


Not that it's not an outrage.


It's just a "standard" outrage.

[Grizzled]

The smoke has cleared. Warren is in charge of football operations, Poles will report to him. Their offices are next to each other. But Warren says he isn't a micromanager, Poles will handle the day-to-day, probably bring the big decisions to him (i.e. offering a big free agent contract to a guy), etc. Warren also said that he was so excited about the Bears buying the AH site, he drove out to see it long before he had the job. He's stoked for what the team can do with 325 acres; I think he's going to make the McCaskeys a lot of money. He brought in the Vikes stadium under budget and ahead of schedule but it is doubtful if any stadium could be completed for the 2027 season. As the NFL awarded a Super Bowl to the Vikes upon completion of theirs, I imagine the Bears will also get one provided they have a cover (retractable I hope). Warren also said he has very high standards for what he expects from the team although he and Viking GM Rick Spielman co-existed with no issues while the Vikes were sucking.

[IE]

Word on the street is that the new stadium will have new PSLs that customers will have to pony up for.

They always do.


Not that it's not an outrage.


It's just a "standard" outrage.

So you're saying they just tell existing PSA owners to fuck off? Or give them ability to opt in with some sort of consideration to their original downstroke?

[Moriarty]

They always do.


Not that it's not an outrage.


It's just a "standard" outrage.

So you're saying they just tell existing PSA owners to fuck off? Or give them ability to opt in with some sort of consideration to their original downstroke?

I could be wrong, but my understanding is that all they get is "first opportunity" to give the team more money

[The Cooler King]

The smoke has cleared. Warren is in charge of football operations, Poles will report to him. Their offices are next to each other. But Warren says he isn't a micromanager, Poles will handle the day-to-day, probably bring the big decisions to him (i.e. offering a big free agent contract to a guy), etc

Honestly I doubt (and hope not) Poles will have to run ANY individual personnel decision by Warren, even big contracts. On the FA example it's likely more to be about setting a budget and short term cash outlook and then getting a number to work within. After that point it should be purely Poles show.

Like this year they'll probably sit down and they'll discuss that they have to spend x in order to meet the league minimum spending and Poles will give him an idea on how much over that he actually plans to spend and about how much bonus money he figures he'll need, probably with a high-end safety cushion built in. And Warren will give his thoughts on the types of players Bears should target and general structure of contracts he wants to see and probably work with Cliff Stein to share the same thoughts directly with him to set those expectations. And Poles will discuss his thought process and own thoughts on the types of players they'd like to target and they'll leave each havign heard each other's thought and with a budget to work within.

So it should IMO be a very rare situation where the move doesn't fit under some very broad budget framework. Any personnel acquistion Warren "signs off" on should be complete formality in nature. Perhaps you can say Warren would use some veto power for say a problematic player, but if you feel you need that as Pres, I actually think 1) you are a bad Pres or 2) you need to move on from that GM because you're fundamentally not aligned and won't ever be.

How Warren grades Poles on his job should come down to how he understands Poles processes, giving input on those processes, and then seeing if Poles successfully follows through on those and incorporates other ideas to drive results. It should never become "you wanted player X and I wanted Y" type of thing. And Poles should never be in a position to complain "you didn't sign off on player Z"

More likely the big things that have to be signed off on are things like the Halas Hall reno or making staff expansions, etc. And reasonable, well supported requests from Poles should be honored.

Player Personnel decisions though is way to narrow of a bucket (and the cash should not be a limiting factor) for Warren to provide any sort of management over Poles decisions.

[Grizzled]

No big signing will not be run by Warren first and then McCaskey.

[The Cooler King]

No big signing will not be run by Warren first and then McCaskey.

I'm fairly certain that's not Warren's role, but I'm damn positive it's not George's either.

Poles didn't turn down the Wilfs so he could go run his personnel decisions by George.

In the capped leagues it just doesn't work like that.

[wulfy]

No big signing will not be run by Warren first and then McCaskey.

I think ...

• George is given Awareness, versus seeking Permission

• KW provides Permission

[wab]

No big signing will not be run by Warren first and then McCaskey.

I doubt this very very much.

[Mikefive]

No big signing will not be run by Warren first and then McCaskey.

I'll take Double Negatives for $200, Alex. :-p

[wulfy]

They always do.


Not that it's not an outrage.


It's just a "standard" outrage.

So you're saying they just tell existing PSA owners to fuck off? Or give them ability to opt in with some sort of consideration to their original downstroke?

A subject near and dear to my heart as a PSL owner ... my guess is that we will get "first pick" of available seats and a minor discount (5 to 10%) off Rack Rate.

[pus]

No big signing will not be run by Warren first and then McCaskey.

I think ...

• George is given Awareness, versus seeking Permission

• KW provides Permission

Maybe it's a matter of sharing the plan with someone else who is in a position to provide feedback and/or support.

[dplank]

I don't have a guess at how it will work, but I can say how I HOPE it will work:

KW should sit down with Poles and interrogate his strategy and he should absolutely force alignment there (meaning, KW has ultimate say on the strategy and can redirect Poles on that front if they aren't aligned). IMO how this should work is Poles should present his full vision for the team and the upcoming off season, and let KW poke holes in it until they are both happy with the plan.

Poles should then have full autonomy to implement that strategy. He should not be running any individual deals by KW, Poles needs to be free to do his job unfettered. Poles may, at his own discretion, bounce thoughts/ideas off KW and should generally be keeping him fully appraised of his work, but not in an "approval" sort of capacity, more in a "keeping the boss in the loop" sort of capacity.

Each year they should sit down and re-assess how Poles executed, make any strategy adjustments and get re-aligned if necessary, then turn Poles loose for the implementation again. Rinse and repeat YoY.

[Burl]

So basically Poles got neutered.

[The Cooler King]

So basically Poles got neutered.

There should be zero reason to read it as such IMO.

[The Cooler King]

I don't have a guess at how it will work, but I can say how I HOPE it will work:

KW should sit down with Poles and interrogate his strategy and he should absolutely force alignment there (meaning, KW has ultimate say on the strategy and can redirect Poles on that front if they aren't aligned). IMO how this should work is Poles should present his full vision for the team and the upcoming off season, and let KW poke holes in it until they are both happy with the plan.

Poles should then have full autonomy to implement that strategy. He should not be running any individual deals by KW, Poles needs to be free to do his job unfettered. Poles may, at his own discretion, bounce thoughts/ideas off KW and should generally be keeping him fully appraised of his work, but not in an "approval" sort of capacity, more in a "keeping the boss in the loop" sort of capacity.

Each year they should sit down and re-assess how Poles executed, make any strategy adjustments and get re-aligned if necessary, then turn Poles loose for the implementation again. Rinse and repeat YoY.

Very well said. Except I would say they can't expect to totally "force alignment". When rubber meets the road, it's Poles job to direct the player personnel plan. It's absolutely within Warren's job to scrutinize the plan and make his voice heard, but most importantly is having a understanding of the plan so he can evaluate Poles. I would expect disagreement to occur a lot. It's a fantasy to expect they can come to consensus all the time.

It should really take to the point if an Aaron Rodgers or Lamar Jackson tough contract negotiation situation for ownership/CEO to make directives. Because at that point it does become largely a business discussion as well when it's the face of your franchise/MVP at stake.