# Red Stars owner Laura Ricketts seeks public funding for new stadium

Feb 28, 2024

Emma Hruby

The Chicago Red Stars are appealing to the state government for public stadium funds.

They’re the latest Chicago sports team to do so, joining the White Sox and the Bears. New Red Stars co-owner Laura Ricketts and team president Karen Leetzow are citing equity in the conversation if such discussions are being had.

“Women’s sports need to have a seat at the table. We need to be in the mix because otherwise we’re just going to end up chasing our tail around how to grow women’s sports,” Leetzow [told the Chicago Tribune](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/02/26/chicago-red-stars-join-the-teams-seeking-public-funding-for-a-stadium-womens-sports-need-to-have-a-seat-at-the-table/).

“If you’re a politician, what better way for you to leave a lasting legacy in the state of Illinois or the city of Chicago than to do something that’s never been done, which is provide meaningful funding for women.”

Currently, the Red Stars play at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, which is outside of Chicago city limits. Since taking ownership Ricketts has been looking for a permanent solution to the team’s location issues, given that the current stadium is not easily accessible by public transit.

Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker has been noncommittal on the use of public funds for any private sports project, saying “I think I’ve been really clear about the fact that the taxpayers’ dollars are precious,” in a media appearance this week.

[According to SBJ](https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/02/27/chicago-red-stars-public-funding-request-stadium-seatgeek-white-sox-ballpark), the club is still in the fact-finding stage of the process, and has not yet determined the amount of funding that would be needed.

On social media, the Red Stars posted a statement, writing that “we deserve a seat at the table.”

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