BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Chicago Fire chairman and owner Andrew Hauptman Friday announced the sale of his controlling interest in the club to Joe Mansueto.
The sale is effective immediately and will mean the Fire will return to Soldier Field for the 2020 MLS season. The team has called Toyota Park home since midway through the 2006 season.
Mansueto will take on the role of chairman as sole owner of the Fire. Under Hauptman, the club also finalized an agreement with the Village of Bridgeview that allows the Fire to move back into the city of Chicago, and received approval from the Chicago Park District board to move toward an agreement that will enable the team to play its 2020 season at Soldier Field.
Hauptman’s term as owner ends after 12 years.
“What the Fire has achieved has been transformational for the Club and the city of Chicago. We’ve significantly increased soccer’s presence and built an ecosystem that rivals any club across North America,” Hauptman said in a statement. “I’m extremely proud of the positioning of the Club at this historic juncture. I know that the next step of returning to Soldier Field will make Chicago proud and I look forward to cheering on Joe, the Club and its supporters as they continue this legacy.”
In a statement, Mansueto thanked Hauptman.
“I joined Andrew as a partner because he developed a tremendous platform for continued soccer growth across Chicago and beyond. He and the entire organization have worked tirelessly to dramatically increase the profile of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, MLS and the game overall and have left a wonderful legacy for our city,” he said. “The timing of this transaction couldn’t be better as we return the world’s game to the city I love. Andrew and his fam
