Grading Chicago as a pro sports city
When it comes to pro sports, Chicago has it all — teams in every league, stadiums throughout the city and beyond, fans galore.
On the other hand, the products on the fields (and courts and rinks) of play too often stink.
In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the social platform X, we wanted to know what letter grade we deserve as a pro sports town.
Are we rocking an A? OK, then, a B? Sheesh, a C?
“Fans get an A. Owners get an F. It averages to a C,” @dnaz13 commented.
Next, we asked if the Bulls’ hot play for most of a month cranked up your interest in the team. By the slimmest of margins, a majority of voters said no.
“Same script, different year,” @jshuuaa10 wrote.
Last, with Bears stadium talk back in the news, we asked what the outcome should be. Arlington Heights got the nod by a mile.
As @Stringfellow911 put it: “Retractable. Roof.”
On to the polls:
Poll No. 1: What grade does Chicago deserve as a pro sports city?
It’s time for this week’s “Polling Place.” Let us hear from you! Selected comments will appear in Sunday's paper.
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) April 3, 2025
Poll No. 1: What grade does Chicago deserve as a pro sports city?
Upshot: In a given year, this could be the greatest sports city in the land. So much would have to go right, though, which we pretty much never see. Well, then, mediocrity it is!
Poll No. 2: Has the Bulls’ surge over the last four weeks upped your enthusiasm for the team?
Poll No. 2: Has the Bulls’ surge over the last four weeks upped your enthusiasm for the team?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) April 3, 2025
Upshot: There’s only so much fire fans can be expected to bring to a play-in scenario. Still, watching the Bulls since March rolled around — if you can, that is — has been more than a little fun.
Poll No. 3: What should the Bears do about a stadium?
Poll No. 3: What should the Bears do about a stadium?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) April 3, 2025
Upshot: More than anything, people seem to be getting sick of the topic. The Bears don’t miss a chance to disappoint, do they?