After a report surfaced from a Fox Sports Radio host Tuesday indicating that the Bears were one of three finalists in the running to be selected for HBO’s popular training camp documentary mini-series “Hard Knocks” — along with the Steelers and Giants — an NFL spokesman quickly refuted the speculation as “not accurate.”

The league also said there is no definitive timeline for announcing a team and pointed out that the 2013 “Hard Knocks” participant (the Bengals) wasn’t rubber-stamped until June 17.

Translation: stay tuned. Nothing to see here just yet.

The 2014 Bears could be a fascinating choice to have HBO chronicle its experiences at training camp in Bourbonnais. Coach Marc Trestman’s team already seems to have a colorful cast of characters and a surplus of compelling storylines. But the organization has openly expressed its hesitance to partake in the series.

Last fall, during a live chat on the team-controlled ChicagoBears.com website, general manager Phil Emery said, “We are a traditional organization that feels our best connection with our fans is to come down to Bourbonnais and enjoy the live experience with us. There’s nothing like seeing the team through your own eyes and how it’s coming together.”

An NFL rule, however, gives the league authority to pick its “Hard Knocks” participant. Teams are exempt if they either have a new head coach, have made the playoffs at least once in the last two seasons or already have appeared on “Hard Knocks” in the last 10 years. The Bears meet none of those criteria so, theoretically, could be selected.

Reporting date announced: The Bears officially announced their reporting date for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University is July 24. The team’s first practice will be the next day. A full camp practice schedule will be announced later.

dwiederer@tribune.com

Twitter @danwiederer