Virginia McCaskey, the longtime owner of the Chicago Bears, passed away this week at the age of 102, marking the end of an era for one of the NFL’s most storied franchises.
McCaskey, who took over ownership in 1983 after the passing of her father, George Halas, played a crucial role in maintaining the Bears’ legacy over four decades.
As the team and its fans mourn her loss, speculation has grown over the future of the franchise’s ownership and leadership.
The Bears have remained under family control for nearly their entire existence, and the McCaskey family has long emphasized its commitment to keeping the team.
However, with Virginia’s passing, questions arise about how ownership will be structured moving forward.
McCaskey held approximately 20% of the team’s ownership, while the majority share was distributed among her 11 children and other descendants of George Halas.
Her son, George McCaskey, has served as chairman of the Bears since 2011 and is widely expected to continue in a leadership role.
However, the specific details of succession have not been publicly disclosed.
One key aspect of McCaskey’s influence was her control over the voting power of the family’s collective shares, which accounted for about 80% of team decisions.
With her passing, that control will likely shift to one or more of her children, though no official announcement has been made.
Role of Bears’ minority stakeholders
While the McCaskey family remains the majority owner, a notable minority stakeholder in the Bears is Chicago businessman Pat Ryan.
Ryan, a former CEO of Aon Corporation, acquired a roughly 20% stake in the team in the 1990s and has remained a prominent figure in Chicago business and philanthropy.
Despite his stake, control of the team is expected to stay with the McCaskey family unless a significant shift in ownership occurs.
According to reports, Virginia McCaskey’s shares will likely be distributed among family members, a move that could help minimize estate tax burdens while maintaining family control.
