Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host(s): Dan Bernstein, Matt Spiegel
Episode Title: Kevin Warren: Open letter to Bears fans – TERRIBLE TIMING
Date: December 18, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode centers on the Chicago Bears’ controversial timing in releasing an open letter to fans, penned by team president Kevin Warren, threatening a possible move of their new stadium to Northwest Indiana. Dan Bernstein and Matt Spiegel dissect the motivations and fallout, especially as this announcement arrives during a pivotal, emotionally-charged “Packers Week,” when the Bears are enjoying their best season in years. The episode delivers sharp criticism of Bears ownership, explores the economics and ethics of public stadium financing, touches briefly on Chicago Bulls improvements, and delves into broader sports culture commentary.
Main Discussion: The Bears’ Stadium Open Letter
Bears Ownership and Kevin Warren’s “Leverage Play”
- Context: The Bears released an open letter announcing an expanded search for stadium sites, including in Indiana, essentially using it as a bargaining chip for more favorable tax deals in Illinois.
- The hosts are incredulous and frustrated at the announcement’s timing—midweek before a huge Packers game with the team at 10–4 and playoff-bound.
"When I saw the news yesterday that the Bears were deciding that this, of all possible moments in the history of their franchise, was the time for a desperate stadium leverage play, I had a mix of disgust, of sadness and entertainment at just how brazenly silly this decision is."
—Matt Spiegel (01:04)
Ownership’s Role and Hypocrisy
- Host charges that the move is not Kevin Warren's alone but reflects desperation at the highest levels (Bears ownership/McCaskey family).
- The letter attempts to shift blame onto Illinois and the Arlington Heights school board for lack of “tax certainty.”
- Repeated criticism of the Bears hijacking “Packers Week”—a cherished rivalry heralded by the McCaskey family—to serve business interests.
"Don't ever tell me that again. Don't ever, ever, ever tell me as an organization how much the packers games mean to you, when you decide to make it more about your business deal than anything else. You're failing business deal and your desperate team president and CEO..."
—Matt Spiegel (05:52)
Cynicism, Fan Betrayal, and the Leverage Game
- Bernstein asserts there’s no positive endgame. The team is using fan excitement to apply political pressure for public money, while denying that’s their intention.
- The hosts ridicule the suggestion that Bears fans should pressure politicians to subsidize a stadium, instead arguing that public funds are better spent elsewhere.
"You're trying to use us, Trying to use me as as a pawn in your leverage play. What do you think I'm going to do? What do you think a Bears fan is supposed to do here?"
—Dan Bernstein (16:43)
Notable Quote:
"It sucks. It sucks. As a fan, all we want to do and all we're talking about all week is counting down the hours until that ball is kicked off. And it's about football. And it's not about any of the other bad Bears history."
—Matt Spiegel (10:26)
Economic Realities and Ownership Deficiencies
- The hosts break down the economics: if the Bears cannot finance the stadium privately, the answer is to “sell to someone who can.”
- They note weakness in the Bears family fortune—the need for public money as a sign of poor planning or under-capitalization.
Memorable Moment [12:36]:
"If you had the money, it would be different. But this level of desperation... They can’t even borrow without giving away control of their franchise. Then sell. Then sell to somebody who can afford to."
—Dan Bernstein
Indifference to Stadium Location
- Debate over whether it matters where the Bears play; neither host particularly cares, calling the venue a “television studio.”
- Historical callback to the last “move to Gary, Indiana” ploy from the ‘90s, mocked as empty leverage tactics then and now.
Notable Quote:
"You want to build a television studio in Gary. On a toxic waste dump? Go ahead. Go ahead. I'm not moving. Doesn't change me. I don't care."
—Matt Spiegel (12:41)
Public Funds and Social Responsibilities
- The hosts list alternate, more meaningful uses of tax dollars (transit, health care, schools), slamming the pitch for public subsidy as unconscionable.
"You tell me why funding a private businesses money making scheme is more important to me as a taxpayer than public health, public transit, and everything else that my tax dollars can support. Explain that to me."
—Matt Spiegel (21:01)
Segment: Callback to “We Let Them Off the Hook” (Dennis Green Reference)
Timestamps: 28:56–38:44
- Hosts reflect on the Bears' loss against the Packers, sharing Caleb Williams' quote: “We let them off the hook.”
- Callback to the iconic Dennis Green postgame rant, with Spiegel drawing on fishing as a metaphor for missed opportunities in sports (and life).
- Personal, passionate analogy on the emotional toll of letting something slip away, equating losing to the Packers with losing a big fish.
Clip (Dennis Green, 30:15):
"The Bears are who we thought they were... and we let them off the hook."
Notable Moment
"The pain of losing a fish outweighs the joy of catching one. And that's part of the addiction... You never, ever, ever forget it."
—Matt Spiegel (33:33)
Quick Topics and Hot Takes
Chicago Bulls Bounce Back
[44:00–48:00]
- Brief congratulations for the Bulls' much-improved win over the Cavaliers.
- Discussion of improved defense, offensive execution, and trust among teammates.
Coaching Culture: Ohio University Firing
[51:38–59:52]
- Surprised discussion about Ohio University firing football coach Brian Smith for having bourbon in his desk for celebratory nips with coaches after a win.
- Mockery of the scandal and defense of “coaching culture,” sharing stories of similar traditions elsewhere in sports.
Notable Quote:
"You fired a guy for this and I'm just so disappointed. It wasn't juicier. I wanted ... a self-excavated sex dungeon, that's worth it."
—Matt Spiegel (54:37)
Closing Notes
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Bears Ownership: “Give it to a player. Give it to a guy who puts his body out there on the field instead of the president who hasn't done jack yet to the task he was brought here to do.” —Dan Bernstein (26:27)
- On Using Fans as Pawns: “They're trying to use us, the fans, as pawns and they want you, the lifelong Bears fan, to do their job for them because their lobbyists have failed.” —Matt Spiegel (20:14)
- On Bears’ Mismanagement: “Not only do they have no idea what they're doing to get this stadium built...it just shows they have no idea how to run a sports franchise.” —Dan Bernstein (19:47)
Timestamps of Key Segments
- Main Bears Rant / Open Letter Discussion: 00:54 – 26:49
- Caleb Williams & 'Let Them Off the Hook' Analogy: 28:56 – 38:44
- Bulls Win Recap / Basketball IQ Discussion: 44:00 – 48:00
- Ohio U Coach Firing Segment: 51:38 – 59:52
Tone and Style
The tone is characteristically acerbic, passionate, and at times sardonic, with both hosts pulling few punches in their criticism of Bears ownership and the broader sports establishment. The beats of fandom, the business of sports, and Chicago’s particular civic identity resonate throughout. There are moments of humor, deep personal analogy, and sports nostalgia, balancing sharp outrage with relatable frustration and even levity.
Final Thoughts
This episode is essential listening for Bears fans and Chicago sports enthusiasts who want an unfiltered, honest reaction to the franchise’s front office maneuvers and the broader implications for fans and taxpayers. Bernstein and Spiegel deliver informed analysis, righteous indignation, and cultural commentary—all with the authenticity their listeners expect.