When you think about the Chicago Bears, you probably think about Caleb Williams, the 1985 defense, or maybe that biting wind coming off Lake Michigan during a late-December home game. But honestly, the most interesting number in the building isn't a jersey number or a draft pick. It’s the chicago bears owner age. Specifically, the transition from a centenarian matriarch to a leadership group staring down a billion-dollar stadium crisis.
We’re in 2026, and the landscape at Halas Hall looks very different than it did just a year ago.
The Passing of a Legend: Virginia Halas McCaskey
For decades, the answer to how old the Bears owner was stayed pretty much the same: "Older than almost everyone else." Virginia Halas McCaskey was the principal owner of the Chicago Bears until her passing on February 6, 2025, at the incredible age of 102.
Think about that for a second.
She was born in 1923. That’s before the television was a household item. Her father, the legendary George Halas, basically invented the NFL. She didn't just inherit a team; she inherited a piece of American history that she guarded with a ferocity that would make Mike Singletary proud. When she passed away, she wasn't just the oldest owner in the NFL; she was the oldest owner in all of major league sports.
She lived through 10 of the Bears' 11 championship appearances. She saw the Red Grange era and the Caleb Williams era. That’s a level of institutional memory you just can't buy.
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Who is the Chicago Bears Owner Today?
With Virginia gone, the "age" question has shifted to her children. The primary face of the franchise now is George McCaskey, the Chairman of the Board. George was born in 1956, which puts the current Chicago Bears owner age at 69 or 70 depending on the month.
He’s not alone, though. The ownership isn't just one person with a checkbook. It’s a massive family trust. Virginia had 11 children. She had over 40 great-grandchildren. When people ask about the Chicago Bears owner age, they’re usually looking for stability. They want to know if the "kids" are going to sell the team to some private equity firm or a tech billionaire.
George has been pretty blunt about this. He wants to own the team for "another 100 years."
The Real Ownership Breakdown
- The McCaskey Family: They control roughly 80% of the team.
- Pat Ryan: The billionaire founder of Aon owns about 17.67%.
- The McKenna Estate: Holds the remaining 2%.
Lately, there’s been a ton of chatter about that 2% stake. Since 2025, rumors have swirled that the family might finally let some outside investment in—not because they want to leave, but because staying is getting expensive.
Why the Owner's Age Actually Affects the Team
You might wonder why anyone cares if the owner is 70 or 102. In the NFL, age usually correlates with "old-school" vs. "new-school" management.
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Under Virginia, the Bears were famously "cash-poor" compared to guys like Jerry Jones or Stan Kroenke. Most of the McCaskey wealth is tied up in the team itself. They don't have a massive oil empire or a software conglomerate to fund a $2 billion stadium in Arlington Heights or on the lakefront.
Now that the leadership has shifted to a slightly "younger" generation (relatively speaking), we’re seeing a massive pivot. They hired Kevin Warren as President and CEO. They’re actually talking about private equity—something Virginia likely never would have entertained. The "new" Chicago Bears owner age brings a willingness to modernize that the franchise has lacked for half a century.
The Succession Plan: Will They Ever Sell?
Every time the Chicago Bears owner age comes up in a bar or on a subreddit, someone says, "They have to sell to pay the inheritance taxes!"
It’s a fair point. When an asset worth $6 billion to $8 billion changes hands, the IRS usually wants a massive cut. However, Virginia was a smart operator. She spent decades "freezing" the value of the estate and setting up trusts to ensure the team stayed in the family.
George McCaskey is currently the shepherd of that plan. But here is the nuance most people miss: The family is huge. When you have dozens of heirs, not everyone wants to be a football mogul. Some might want their share of the cash.
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That’s why you’re seeing the team explore selling minority stakes in 2026. It’s a way to keep the McCaskeys in the driver’s seat while getting the liquidity they need to build a "world-class" stadium.
What This Means for Fans
Honestly? It’s a bit of a "wait and see" situation.
The Bears are at a crossroads. On the field, they have a young roster and a head coach, Ben Johnson, who has brought a "frenetic" energy to Halas Hall. Off the field, the leadership is trying to shed the "mom and pop shop" reputation.
If you’re a fan, the Chicago Bears owner age signifies a transition from a 100-year legacy of "just football" to a modern era of real estate, entertainment districts, and high-finance sports ownership.
Actionable Insights for the "Da Bears" Faithful
- Monitor the Stadium Bill: Keep an eye on the Illinois legislature in 2026. The McCaskeys need state help for infrastructure, and their ability to get it will signal how much power the "new" ownership really has.
- Watch the Minority Stake Sales: If Pat Ryan or a private equity firm increases their share past 20%, it might indicate a shift in who is actually calling the shots on business operations.
- Don't Expect a Total Sale: Despite the rumors, the "stick together" edict from Virginia remains the family's north star. A total sale of the Chicago Bears is highly unlikely in the next decade.
The era of the 102-year-old matriarch is over, but the McCaskey grip on the lakefront is as tight as ever. They’re just trading the "grit and grace" of the past for the "spreadsheets and stadiums" of the future.