Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 179; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 1850
Physiological - Other; Distraction
Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
After we came out of the clouds there was a blinding sign 'sporting arena' that was so bright it was distracting and made it hard to discern runway lights until very close in. We were both surprised by its brightness and wondered how it could be legal by the FAA to have such a sign uncovered on the top.
Air carrier flight crew on approach to ORD had difficulty picking up the runway lights after breaking out of the clouds due to the sporting arena sign west of the airport.