Chicago Fire in talks to end lease at suburban stadium

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Fire has reached a memorandum of understanding with the owner of its home stadium that will end the team’s lease.

General Manager Nelson Rodriguez on Wednesday refused to give details of the tentative agreement. He pointed out there is no signed agreement between the city of Bridgeport and the team that he is aware of.

Rodriguez said team officials have been in talks with Bridgeview officials for some time on an amended stadium lease. The Fire currently has a lease to play in SeatGeek Stadium though 2036. The stadium was previously named Toyota Park.

Reports have been circulating in recent weeks that plans were for the team to return to Soldier Field in Chicago, where the team played their home games until the 2006 season. However, Rodriguez said the team hasn’t been involved in talks about any stadium outside Bridgeview.