Biggest Sports & Betting Deals To Watch In 2nd Half Of 2026

Irwin Kishner, co-chair of Herrick's Sports Law Group and co-chair of Herrick's Corporate Department, was quoted in Law360 in an article highlighting the most significant sports deals to watch for the remainder of 2026. 

The article discussed the "tug-of-war" between Indiana and Illinois over a new stadium for the Chicago Bears. The article further notes that both states introduced competing bills to lure the Bears with real estate and tax incentives and proposals for mixed-use projects. According to Irwin, "ultimately the state that offers the most funding is more likely to win a deal with the Bears."  

"This issue we're dealing with has been around for certainly the last 100 years, between public finance and private finance, use of public money to build a stadium,'' Irwin said.

Irwin also discussed the potential for the entrance of private equity investment into college sports, noting that "such investments might make the difference between programs surviving or being eliminated." 

"The money is arguably used for stuff to help the university's mission, right?" Irwin said. "It's not like they're just putting it in their pockets and enriching themselves. It's a very interesting situation, for sure." 

Read full article in Law360 here. Access may require a subscription.