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Ted Phillips
Ted Phillips
Ted Phillips
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Ted Phillips (born June 27, 1957[1]) is an American businessman and the former president and CEO of the National Football League's Chicago Bears. He was only the fourth president of the 100-year-old organization at the time of his hiring, with his predecessors being Michael McCaskey, George Halas Jr., and "Papa Bear" George Halas. Phillips is one of only two individuals in the NFL to serve on both the NFL Working Club Executive committee and the NFL Senior Club Executive committee, whose mission is to analyze both the financial and football operations aspects of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.[2]

Key Information

Early life and family

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Phillips was born in Oneida, New York and was raised in Nashua, New Hampshire.[2] He graduated from The University of Notre Dame with an undergraduate degree in business and accounting. He worked for the accounting and consulting firm Ernst and Whinney, now known as Ernst & Young, as an auditor and tax accountant from 1979 to 1983.[2] Phillips is the father of three sons: Matthew, Max, and Frank.[3]

Chicago Bears

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Phillips began his career with the organization on September 28, 1983, as the team's controller. After about four years, he was promoted to the director of finance. Here, he was responsible for the club's business operations and the negotiating and signing of all player contracts.[3] While working with the Chicago Bears, he earned his master's degree in marketing and management from the Kellogg Graduate School at Northwestern University in 1989.[3] In 1993, he became the vice president of operations and served there for six years until his promotion to team president.[2]

President & CEO

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The organization recognized Phillips work and effort and placed him in position to improve the club. Phillips was named the chief executive officer and president of the Chicago Bears on February 10, 1999, making him only the fourth president in team history, and the first who was not a member of the Halas-McCaskey family. He made many changes to the organization. In the offseason of 2001, Phillips hired Jerry Angelo as the general manager of the team and later extended his contract in 2003 and 2006 to create stability in the front office. He also brought the Bears summer training camp back to Illinois in 2002. Fans have appreciated this by attending camp in groups of over 10,000 at the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.[2]

With the growing value of the team, ticket prices kept rising, but in 2009 Phillips decided to freeze ticket prices in light of the country's economic situation.[4] Despite this, Phillips kept the Bears in the Top 10 Most Valuable NFL teams and raised the team's value to $1.09 Billion in 2011.[5] He also voted against the new NFL rule to move up kickoffs, which had been held at the 30 yard line, to the 35-yard line, considering Special Teams have been a strong point for the Bears, but the rule passed.[6]

In the 24 years Phillips acted as team president, the Bears made the playoffs six times.[7] The Bears formally changed Phillips' responsibilities following the 2021 season, which saw the team fire head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace after a 6–11 finish. Phillips would no longer oversee the team's general manager, who would instead report directly to chairman George McCaskey.[8] On September 2, 2022, Phillips announced he would retire from his role after the 2022 NFL season.[9] The Bears announced Kevin Warren would succeed Phillips as president following the 2022 NFL season.[10]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ted Phillips

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ted Phillips (born c. 1957) is an American sports executive who served as the president and chief executive officer of the National Football League's from 1999 to 2023, becoming the first non-family member to hold the position. A native of , Phillips graduated from the in 1979 and began his professional career at the accounting firm Ernst & Whinney in , where he prepared tax returns for Bears founder , the McCaskey family, and the organization itself. Phillips joined the Bears in September 1983 as the team's controller under general manager Jerry Vainisi, marking the start of his 40-season tenure with the franchise. He advanced through several financial and operational roles, including director of finance from 1987 to 1993—during which he negotiated player contracts until 2000—and vice president of operations from 1993 to 1999. Appointed president and CEO on February 10, 1999, he oversaw major infrastructure projects, including the $587 million renovation of that opened in 2003 with modern amenities like luxury suites and improved fan facilities; expansions to the team's headquarters in 2012 (adding 30,000 square feet) and 2019 (adding 162,500 square feet for football operations); and the 2018 relocation of non-football staff to a downtown office. Under Phillips' leadership, the Bears achieved five division championships and appeared in following the 2006 season, though they fell short of a title. He also guided the organization through the starting in 2020, restructured the front office in 2021 to emphasize by adding a senior vice president for those initiatives in 2022, and facilitated the team's $197.2 million purchase of a former racetrack site in , in 2023 as part of long-term stadium development plans. Phillips announced his retirement in September 2022, effective at the end of February 2023, citing post-pandemic reflection on spending more time with family after nearly four decades of service; he was succeeded by . Throughout his career, he was praised by Bears chairman George H. McCaskey as "the best boss I ever had" for his consensus-building leadership and contributions to the team's operational stability.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family

Ted Phillips was born on June 27, 1957, in . His family soon relocated to , where he spent his formative years in a suburban environment that included attendance at Bishop Guertin High School. Phillips comes from a with ties to local education and athletics; he is the brother of , a longtime faculty member at Bishop Guertin High School and a former assistant coach there, who later became head football coach at Alvirne High School in Nashua. In his personal life, Phillips is married to Ann and serves as the father of three sons—Matthew, Max, and Frank—prioritizing alongside his professional commitments.

Academic background

Ted Phillips earned a (BBA) degree from the in 1979, focusing on business and accounting principles that laid the foundation for his career in and management. He later pursued advanced studies, completing a (MBA) with concentrations in and at Northwestern University's between 1985 and 1990, enhancing his expertise in strategic business operations. Following his undergraduate degree, Phillips began his professional career at Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) in Chicago, where he worked as a tax accountant and auditor, applying his educational background to real-world financial analysis and compliance tasks that bridged his academic training to executive roles.

Chicago Bears career

Initial roles and advancement (1983–1998)

Ted Phillips joined the on September 28, 1983, as the team's controller, where he was responsible for financial oversight and accounting operations. In this role, Phillips managed the organization's fiscal responsibilities during a transformative period for the franchise, including the Bears' dominant 1985 season that culminated in a victory, ensuring financial stability amid heightened operational demands and revenue growth from national exposure. In 1987, Phillips was promoted to Director of Finance, a position he held until 1993, where he oversaw budgeting, fiscal planning, and player contract negotiations—handling the team's deals from 1987 through 2000. His expertise, honed through a graduate degree in from and prior work at & Whinney, enabled effective management of the Bears' finances as the navigated expanding economic pressures in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Phillips advanced further in February 1993 to of Operations, a role he maintained through 1998, broadening his responsibilities to include oversight of business operations, stadium management, administrative functions, and implementation of the NFL's new agreement, particularly compliance. In this capacity, he contributed to operational expansions, such as enhanced personnel monitoring, roster management, and front-office restructuring to align with league-wide financial regulations, supporting the Bears' administrative growth during a period of NFL evolution.

Presidency and leadership (1999–2023)

Ted Phillips was appointed as the fourth president and chief executive officer of the on February 10, 1999, succeeding in the role. In this capacity, Phillips oversaw both business and football operations, marking a significant expansion of his influence within the franchise after years in financial and administrative roles. Early in his presidency, Phillips focused on restructuring the team's football operations by reinstating the general manager position, which had been absent since 1986. On June 12, 2001, he hired , formerly the director of player personnel for the , to lead scouting, player acquisition, and roster management. This move aimed to professionalize the front office and address the Bears' on-field struggles following a 5-11 record in 2000. The following year, in 2002, Phillips relocated the team's training camp to in , enhancing fan accessibility with public practices and closer proximity to compared to previous sites in . This decision fostered greater , drawing thousands of attendees annually and boosting local . Under Phillips' leadership, the Bears undertook major infrastructure projects, including the $587 million renovation of Soldier Field that opened in 2003 with modern amenities like luxury suites and improved fan facilities; expansions to the team's Halas Hall headquarters in 2012 (adding 30,000 square feet) and 2019 (adding 162,500 square feet for football operations); the 2018 relocation of non-football staff to a downtown Chicago office; and the team's $197.2 million purchase of a former racetrack site in Arlington Heights, Illinois, in 2023 as part of long-term stadium development plans. Phillips' business acumen drove key financial strategies during economic challenges. In February 2009, amid the , he announced a freeze on prices—the first since 2000—to maintain fan loyalty and attendance despite broader industry price hikes. Under his leadership, the Bears' franchise value grew substantially; as of July 2012, valued the team at $1.09 billion, reflecting revenue from media deals, sponsorships, and Soldier Field renovations. On the football side, his tenure saw six playoff appearances (2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2018, and 2020), highlighted by the 2006 run where the Bears advanced to the NFC Championship and faced the in the title game. Phillips also contributed to league-wide governance, serving as a member of the Management Council Executive Working Group and the Senior Club Executive , roles shared by only a few executives across the league. He chaired the Benefits , influencing policies on player welfare and . However, his presidency faced criticism for an overemphasis on operations at the expense of on-field success, particularly during prolonged losing seasons like 2016 (3-13) and 2017 (5-11), which fueled fan frustration and calls for greater separation between commercial and football decision-making.

Retirement and legacy

Announcement and transition (2022–2023)

On September 2, 2022, Ted Phillips announced his intention to retire as president and CEO of the after 40 seasons with the organization, a tenure that began in 1983. The announcement came amid the team's ongoing efforts to secure a new site, with Phillips emphasizing his desire to spend more time with family following the challenges of the . Initially planned for late February 2023 following the conclusion of the , his departure was postponed to support the incoming leadership. In January 2023, the Bears named , then-commissioner of the , as Phillips' successor to the roles of president and CEO, marking the first external hire for the position in franchise history. Warren's appointment was the result of a nationwide search overseen by Bears chairman , with Phillips contributing to the process by providing institutional knowledge during the evaluation of candidates. This move aimed to bring fresh perspectives to the organization's business operations while maintaining stability. Phillips remained in his role through the 2022-2023 offseason to ensure organizational continuity, including key decisions on stadium development and front-office matters. His final day as president and CEO was April 16, 2023, allowing Warren to officially assume duties on April 17 and facilitating a seamless handover described by team leadership as "incredibly smooth." During this period, Phillips focused on briefing Warren on ongoing initiatives, underscoring his commitment to the franchise's long-term success.

Post-retirement role and contributions

Following his retirement as president and CEO in April 2023, Ted Phillips was retained by the as a to provide guidance on operations and organizational transitions. This arrangement was announced by Chairman , who emphasized Phillips' institutional knowledge as invaluable during the handover to successor . Over his 40-year tenure with the Bears, Phillips played a key role in elevating the franchise's status as one of the NFL's most valuable teams, with the organization's worth reaching $6.3 billion by 2023. The value has since grown to $8.2 billion as of August 2025 per , and further to $8.9 billion in a September 2025 minority stake sale amid league-wide revenue increases and stadium development efforts. He contributed to financial stability by navigating economic challenges, including the , through prudent management of operations and infrastructure investments like the renovation of and . Phillips' broader impact extended to NFL governance, where he served as chairman of the Employment Benefits Committee and as a member of the Management Council Executive Committee Working Group, influencing league-wide policies on benefits and executive matters. In reflections, he has highlighted his business-oriented approach to leadership, expressing regret over the team's inconsistent on-field success but pride in its off-field achievements and stability.

References

  1. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-president-ceo-ted-phillips-to-retire-end-of-february
  2. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34509057/chicago-bears-president-ceo-ted-phillips-retire-40-seasons
  3. https://www.nfl.com/news/ted-phillips-longtime-bears-team-president-ceo-retire-after-2022-season
  4. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3561783/2022/09/02/bears-president-ted-phillips-retiring-2/
  5. https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-bears-news-general-manager-head-coach-tanesha-wade/11675948/
  6. https://www.chicagobears.com/team/front-office/kevin-warren
  7. https://static.www.nfl.com/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2022/CHI.pdf
  8. https://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinion/local-commentary/2022/10/22/phillips-leaves-bears-legacy/
  9. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2022/09/02/ted-phillips-the-chicago-bears-president-and-ceo-plans-to-retire-at-the-end-of-the-2022-season/
  10. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-phillips-044216252
  11. https://www.wmur.com/article/nashua-ted-phillips-retires-ceo-chicago-bears-new-hampshire-23/43391738
  12. https://www.ellines.com/en/the-famous-greek-president-of-the-chicago-bears/
  13. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/03/25/oh-brother-shakeup-in-bears-front-office/
  14. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/06/12/bears-hire-general-manager/
  15. https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/the-bears-in-bourbonnais-through-the-years
  16. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2009/02/06/Franchises/Winds-Of-Change-Bears-Freeze-Ticket-Prices-For-Next-Season/
  17. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1077821_ferraris-f1-team-the-15th-most-valuable-sports-franchise
  18. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/playoffs.htm
  19. https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/1/10/22876807/bears-president-ted-phillips-george-mccaskey-ryan-pace-patrick-mahomes-quote-matt-nagy-stadium
  20. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/how-bears-will-transition-from-ted-phillips-to-kevin-warren/3048655/
  21. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35431983/sources-chicago-bears-hire-kevin-warren-president-ceo
  22. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/new-bears-president-ceo-kevin-warren-making-incredibly-smooth-transition
  23. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/kevin-warren-era-officially-starts-monday-for-bears
  24. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2023/03/31/4-things-we-heard-from-chicago-bears-chairman-george-mccaskey-including-a-hard-knocks-update-and-ted-phillips-role/
  25. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/04/03/Franchises/chicago-bears-president-ted-phillips-kevin-warren/
  26. https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/chicago-bears-forbes-nfl-franchise-value-2025-dallas-cowboys/
  27. https://www.forbes.com/teams/chicago-bears/
  28. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/24/nfl-approves-sale-of-stake-in-chicago-bears-at-8point9-billion-valuation-sources.html
  29. https://apnews.com/article/chicago-bears-nfl-sports-illinois-15769ed14243572b22242dd441cf0818
  30. https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-bears/we-finally-know-what-former-bears-president-ted-phillips-thinks-is-his-biggest-mistake/
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