Iowa Seeks to Attract NFL Team with Stadium Incentives Bill

A bill recently introduced in the Iowa State Senate aims to attract an NFL team to the state. The proposed legislation focuses on expanding the state’s economic growth incentives and potentially luring the Chicago Bears. State Senator Kerry Gruenhagen emphasized Iowa’s readiness to engage in the competition for an NFL franchise, highlighting the economic benefits, such as job creation and increased tourism.

Iowa’s Incentives for an NFL Team

The bill seeks to modify Iowa’s MEGA program, which provides economic development incentives to attract capital investments. With sponsorship from seven Republican senators, the legislation includes provisions for building a new NFL stadium.

Strategic Advantages

Senator Scott Webster noted that Iowa could provide the necessary infrastructure and tax stability for the Bears. He proposed eastern Iowa as a prime location for a potential stadium. Webster highlighted advantages such as:

• A centralized location attracting fans from multiple states.
• Accessibility for visitors from Des Moines and Madison.
• Potential fan engagement from St. Louis.

Community Support and Historical Context

The Quad Cities area, which straddles the Iowa-Illinois border, has a metropolitan population nearing 500,000. Davenport, the largest city in this region, is situated approximately 130 miles from Chicago’s suburbs. Historically, eastern Iowa has been a stronghold for Bears fans, despite significant followings for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.

Interestingly, the region has NFL roots dating back to the league’s early days. The Rock Island Independents, one of the NFL’s charter franchises, were based in Illinois and were the Bears’ first rivals. This historical connection adds a layer of significance to the current proposal.

Population Consideration

Despite the enthusiasm for attracting an NFL team, Iowa faces challenges. The state’s population has stagnated, holding steady at approximately 3.19 million residents as of the 2020 Census. In contrast, Green Bay, Wisconsin, the NFL’s smallest market, has a metro population of about 330,000.

Though the prospect of an NFL franchise in Iowa may seem ambitious, the state is keen to demonstrate its potential as a viable location for professional football.