Virginia Halas McCaskey, principal owner of the NFL Chicago Bears and daughter of team founder George Halas, died on Thursday (local time) at age 102, the Bears announced.
McCaskey was the oldest and longest-tenured owner in all US major league sport, having taken ownership of the Bears in 1983 when her father died.
“While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on Earth,” the family said in a statement.
“She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans.”
McCaskey became the NFL’s oldest owner upon the death of former Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson in 2014, and in 2019 became the NFL’s longest-tenured owner with the death of Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill.
