Bengals Secure Their Future in Cincinnati with New Deal
Cincinnati secures the Bengals’ permanence. The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners approved a new lease agreement that extends until 2036. The decision, made with a majority vote of 2-1, formalizes the agreement reached in June for Paycor Stadium, whose original lease was expiring after the next season. The joint agreement between Hamilton County and the Bengals reaches $470 million for stadium improvements. The county will contribute $350 million, while the Bengals will contribute $120 million through the NFL’s G-5 loan program. The deadline to finalize the agreement was at the end of July. At Thursday’s meeting, Hamilton County approved a version of the contract that the Bengals had neither reviewed nor approved. This led to a special session of the county commissioners on Friday to ratify the version signed by the Bengals.In a statement, Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn highlighted the importance of the agreement. “More importantly, it solidifies the future of the Bengals in Cincinnati, our beloved home, for many years to come,” Blackburn stated. “Today’s agreement represents a responsible approach to the future, while maintaining Paycor Stadium as a great venue that can provide our fantastic fans with the great game day experience they deserve. We love Cincinnati and are proud to call this city our home.”The new agreement keeps the stadium on par with other NFL cities and ensures that the venue remains a focal point for Cincinnati’s riverfront.
Katie Blackburn, Executive Vice President of the Bengals
