What did George Halas pay for the Bears?

In a pivotal transaction, George Halas secured ownership of the Bears by paying a modest franchise fee of $100.

Moreover, in 1921, the Staley Starch Company not only entrusted him with the team but also provided a $5,000 financial boost and the condition to retain the “Staleys” name for a year.

Halas’ stewardship began with success as the Staleys claimed the 1921 league championship, paving the way for the iconic transformation into the Chicago Bears a year later.

About George Halas

George Halas was an enduring American sports icon, who left an indelible legacy and excelled as a player, coach, and team owner.

Halas’s journey began as an ensign in the Navy during World War I, where he showcased his skills in a team at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station and was named the 1919 Rose Bowl MVP. His Rose Bowl feats earned him a well-deserved spot in the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame later in 2018.

In 1920, Halas co-founded the American Professional Football Association, the precursor to the NFL, and established the Chicago Bears, serving as head coach on four occasions. His contributions earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Halas’s playing career included stints with the Hammond All-Stars and the Decatur/Chicago Staleys/Bears. His coaching career also spanned several decades, from 1920 to 1967. He also delved into baseball ownership and held influential sports administrative roles.

Halas’s legacy boasts 8 NFL championships, 2 AP NFL Coach of the Year awards, and recognition among the “100 greatest Bears of All-Time.” Remarkably, he ended his coaching career at 72, leaving an enduring record that lasted for over half a century.

Halas passed away on October 31, 1983, at 88, after succumbing to pancreatic cancer. He held the distinction of being the last surviving participant of the historic 1920 meeting that gave birth to the NFL.