The Bears and the Packers have the longest rivalry in the NFL, though that rivalry has been rather one-sided since Aaron Rodgers came to Wisconsin.
However, given the geographic proximity of Chicago and Green Bay, it makes sense that there’d be some fans of one team who live in one market while cheering for the other team. (It’s not uncommon all over the country, in fact.)
But one ticketholder wants to wear his Packers’ gear while attending special Bears’ fan experiences, and the Bears have apparently denied that under a dress code claim. That Packers’ fan is taking his case to federal court. (And representing himself, naturally.)
A Green Bay Packers fan is suing the Chicago Bears over the team’s dress code, which he says prevented him from wearing his Packers gear on the field during special game-day events — which he had access to as a Bears season ticket holder.
Russell Beckman, a Wisconsin native and longtime Bears and Packers season ticket holder, filed a lawsuit in federal court Friday seeking the right to wear gear from the team’s bitter rival on the field.
…The Bears launched the “STH Experience” in 2014, which offers reward points to loyal season ticket holders that can be cashed in for game-day experiences.
Beckman, who has owned a Bears’ personal seat license since 2003, used his reward points for a “pregame warm-up field experience,” which allowed him to stand beside the field for the Bears and Packers warm-ups. During the 2014 and 2015 seasons, he went to the event decked out in his Packers’ gear without any issue, according to the suit.
Beckman was expecting to do the same in 2016, but six days before the game, he received an email with a list of rules, including one that said: “No opposing team gear will be allowed,” according to the suit.
Beckman reportedly asked about his gear, was told if he tried to do it he’d be denied, went anyway, and was denied. A cynical person might look at this as a way to set up a potential legal challenge, and hey, there’s an argument to be made! He paid for a PSL, and tickets, and more. It’s a bit petty of the Bears to do this, and it’s par for the course for the American sports franchise that is probably most underrated in terms of dysfunction.
But at the same time, the Bears are a private business, they set the rules of the tickets/experiences, and they gave Beckman plenty of warning. It’s hard to see a legal challenge going very far, and it’s also hard to see the Bears settling, because while Mike Ditka may be a raving looney these days, he did once accurately note that George Halas “threw nickels around like they’re manhole covers.”
There’s plenty more to be found in that post, including the fact that Beckman wrote to Roger Goodell on the matter. Goodell, as per usual, didn’t do anything.
That’s probably for the best.
