“Faith, family, and football—in that order.” That’s how Virginia McCaskey lived her life. For over a century, she was the heart and soul of the Bears. But before that? Her father, George Halas, built from the ground up. However, this is not about him. On Thursday, the NFL lost one of its most enduring figures as Virginia passed away at the age of 102. Her legacy? Unmatched. Her impact? Immeasurable. The Bears Nation? Well, they are trying to keep themselves together.
You see, I don’t blame the fans because there cannot be another Virginia. She was a guardian of the Bears’ storied history. From the team’s early days as the Decatur Staleys to their dominance in the 1980s, she witnessed it all. Eight of the Bears’ nine league titles? She was there. The iconic Super Bowl XX victory in 1986? She celebrated it. Names like Red Grange, Dick Butkus, and Walter Payton weren’t just legends to her—they became family. Now, imagine. Losing family.
The NFL bowed down to Virginia McCaskey’s legacy
The NFL wasted no time paying tribute to a woman who was football royalty. “The Bears that her father started meant the world to her and he would be proud of the way she continued the family business with such dedication and passion,” Roger Goodell said, summing it all up her what we have been trying to say.
But He wasn’t alone. Teams across the league—from the Chiefs to the Raiders—offered their respects. The New York Giants honored her as “a woman of great faith who was devoted and passionate in leading the Bears as her father did.” When you’ve spent time under the spotlight, the rewards of which was outwardly shown, shaping a franchise, even rival teams tip their caps.
A statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the passing of Chicago Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey: pic.twitter.com/J00vAbIS51
— Patrick K. Flowers (@PatrickKFlowers) February 6, 2025
And then there was her final game. Fittingly, the last Bears snap she ever witnessed was a win over the Packers—on her 102nd birthday, no less. If that’s not football poetry, what is? “All the opportunities I’ve had, all the privileges I’ve had, all the miracles I’ve watched—I’m just very grateful,” she once said. A woman who spent her life in the front row of NFL history, never taking a single moment for granted.
Now, the league she helped shape says goodbye. The Bears announced, “While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life.” A century of dedication. A lifetime of Sundays. And a name that will remain… That will live on!
Who owns the Bears now?
So, the Windy City won’t see another Virginia McCaskey. Period. Remember, in 1986, when she disbanded the “Honey Bears” cheerleaders? She called them sexist and outdated. That’s who she was. Traditional in many ways. But never afraid to shake things up. Every decision she made was for the franchise, the players, and the game itself. That kind of leadership? You don’t just replace it.
McCaskey inherited the team from her father, George Halas, in 1983. Under her watch, the Bears made 14 playoff appearances and won their only Super Bowl in 1985. Now, with her passing, the franchise remains in the family’s hands—just as it has been since the very beginning. But here’s the big question: Who actually owns the Bears now? And what happens next?
Virginia personally owned about 20% of the team, according to Crain Currency. When George passed in 1983, his majority share was split among his 13 grandchildren—including Virginia’s 11 kids. But here’s the kicker: She controlled the voting power of those shares, giving her an 80% say in team decisions. Mamma Mia!
Of course, she wasn’t the only shareholder. Back in 1990, two of Halas’ grandchildren sold their shares to Chicago businessman Pat Ryan. If that name sounds familiar, it should—he’s the retired CEO of Aon, a major philanthropist, and the man behind Ryan Field at Northwestern. His stake, combined with another investor, accounts for about 20% of the team.
So what now? Virginia’s 20% share will likely be divided among family members to ease tax burdens. But the real question is control. Who gets to call the shots? All signs point to her son, George McCaskey. He’s been the chairman of the board since 2011, and it’s expected he’ll take over his mother’s role in leading the franchise. For now, one thing is clear: The Bears are still a McCaskey operation. The family business stays in the family. But without Virginia’s steady hand (and presence in the stands), the future of the franchise remains a storyline to watch.
The post “RIP”: Roger Goodell and NFL Mourns Passing of Bears Matriarch Virginia McCaskey; Ownership Structure Revealed appeared first on EssentiallySports.