The Chicago Stadium was a famed and historic indoor sports arena in Chicago, Illinois. The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929-1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967-1994.
The arena was the site of numerous historic events, including the first NFL playoff game in 1932, (moved inside and played on an 80-yard field due to inclement weather), the 1932, 1940, and 1944 Democratic National Conventions, and the 1932 and 1944 Republican National Conventions, as well as numerous concerts, boxing matches and political rallies.
The stadium was first proposed by Chicago sports promoter Paddy Harmon. Harmon wanted to bring an NHL team to Chicago, but he lost out to Col. Laughlin. This team would soon be known as the Chicago Black Hawks (later ‘Blackhawks’). Harmon then went on to at least try and get some control over the team by building a stadium for the Blackhawks to play in. He spent $2.5 million and borrowed more funds from friends, including James E. Norris in order to build the stadium.