Even if some heirs want to cash out, experts say it's unlikely to impact the borrowing capacity the McCaskey family needs to bankroll a new stadium. That's because NFL rules now allow teams to sell up to 10% to private equity investors.

The daughter of Bears founder George Halas, McCaskey watched the NFL go from a struggling start-up to the most powerful league in America.

Virginia McCaskey, who inherited the Chicago Bears from her father, George Halas, but avoided the spotlight during four-plus decades as principal owner, has died. She was 102. McCaskey’s family announced through the team that she died Thursday. She had owned the Bears since her father’s death on Oct. 31, 1983.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Virginia Halas McCaskey, the principal owner of the NFL’s Chicago Bears and the only daughter of franchise founder George Halas, died on Thursday, the team announced. She was 102. McCaskey had owned the Bears since her father’s death on Oct. 31, 1983, ESPN reported.

She inherited the Bears from her father in 1983, one of the few women in sports to hold such a powerful position.

The Chicago Bears will begin to say their final goodbyes Tuesday to longtime team owner Virginia Halas McCaskey, who died last Thursday at 102.

Members of the NFL community gathered to say a final goodbye to longtime Chicago Bears matriarch Virginia Halas McCaskey, who died last week at 102 years old.