George Halas McCaskey (born March 29, 1956) is the chairman of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He replaced his brother Michael McCaskey as chairman in 2011.[2] He is the son of Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey and grandson of team founder George Halas.

George McCaskey
McCaskey in 2022
Born
George Halas McCaskey

(1956-03-29) March 29, 1956 (age 68)
Alma materArizona State University (BA, JD)
SpouseBarb[1]
Parent(s)Virginia Halas
Ed McCaskey
RelativesGeorge Halas (grandfather)
Michael McCaskey (brother)
George Halas, Jr. (uncle)

American football career
Chicago Bears
Position:Chairman
Career history
As an executive:

Biography

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McCaskey, the eighth-oldest child of Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey and Ed McCaskey (who himself was a former Bears chairman), was originally an assistant state attorney in Lee and DeKalb counties. McCaskey also worked in television after graduating with a bachelor's degree (1978) from Arizona State University and a Juris Doctor[3] degree (1981) from Arizona State University College of Law, and was a reporter for an NBC affiliate in Peoria.[1][4] He was the team's senior director of ticket operations since the Bears 1991 season,[5] and was a member of the team's board of directors since 2004.[6]

In 2011, during the NFL lockout, McCaskey's brother Michael retired as chairman of the club after 12 years. Before he assumed his position, he met with Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, as well as White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys was the first NFL owner with whom he met.[2]

McCaskey is the second-highest figure in the Bears organization below his mother Virginia, with team president and CEO Kevin Warren reporting to him.[7] While the president oversees structural changes such as hiring and firing the general manager, the ownership provides input; McCaskey explained in 2012, shortly after the departure of general manager Jerry Angelo, that he did not "feel any particular need to place a personal stamp on the Bears, that my job was to work with and in support of the president and CEO."[8] The Bears are 86-120 (.417) in George McCaskey’s 12 seasons as chairman — ranking 24th in the NFL in that span.[9]

McCaskey and his wife, Barb, reside in Sycamore, Illinois.[10] The couple has a son, Conor, who played quarterback at St. Mary's Catholic School and Sycamore High School.[10][11] McCaskey also volunteers as a referee and umpire for Illinois high school sports in Sycamore.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b "'He's-one-of-us'-sums-up-style-of - Chicago Sun-Times". Suntimes.com. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  2. ^ a b "George McCaskey becomes chairman". Chicagobears.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-20. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  3. ^ https://law.asu.edu/content/asu-law-alum-bears-owner-george-mccaskey-says-vegas-ready-nfl [dead link]
  4. ^ "Chicago Bears: George McCaskey is settling into his new role - Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. 2011-06-09. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  5. ^ "George McCaskey to prepare for new role". Chicagobears.com. 2010-04-21. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  6. ^ "George McCaskey Takes Over As Bears Chairman « CBS Chicago". Chicago.cbslocal.com. 2011-05-06. Archived from the original on 2012-02-01. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  7. ^ "Who does what in the Chicago Bears organization?". Chicago Tribune. February 8, 2021. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  8. ^ Dickerson, Jeff (January 3, 2012). "McCaskey: Angelo was Phillips' decision". ESPN.com. ESPN. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  9. ^ "Best NFL Records Since 2011". StatMuse. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
  10. ^ a b Musick, Tom (September 8, 2011). "Bear at home in Sycamore". Shaw Local. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Cronin, Courtney (June 2, 2024). "Bears chairman George McCaskey's amazing side gig". ESPN. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
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