Arkansas Bengal Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 Jason Williams, Cincinnati Enquirer Sun, Aug 11, 2024, 7:50 PM MDT·3 min read Ask columnist Jason Williams anything − sports or non-sports – and he’ll pick some of your questions and respond on Cincinnati.com. Email: jwilliams@enquirer.com Subject: Could Cincinnati Bengals move to suburbs? Reply: With the Browns considering a move to the Cleveland suburbs, do you think the Bengals would ever look at going somewhere else in Greater Cincinnati? Seems like they’d want to consider (that) with their lease on Paycor Stadium ending in a few years and all the fighting over the years between the team owner and county. Answer: Don’t be surprised if suburban county leaders at least discuss the possibility of luring the Bengals out of downtown Cincinnati. It’d seem to make sense if the Bengals were looking to build a new stadium, but financially it’s hard to see it working out. You’re looking at a $2 billion price tag for a new stadium. The Bengals and NFL should be expected to pay at least half that. Can’t see the Bengals doing that. The Bengals certainly can and should’ve paid more for Paycor Stadium construction and upkeep. But fans must understand that owner Mike Brown doesn’t have a source of income outside the team like many other NFL owners do. Most NFL owners built their wealth in non-football businesses. Some 22 of the 31 privately owned NFL teams have their owner – or a direct family member of the owner – named on Forbes’ 2024 list of billionaires. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is on the list, reportedly worth $8 billion. Perhaps that helps explain why Haslam is reportedly willing to cover $1.2 billion of the $2.4 billion cost to build a domed stadium in the Cleveland suburb of Brook Park. He made his fortune on truck stops and has an abundance of excess capital to spend on off-the-field projects. It’d put too much onus on the taxpayers if the Bengals were to try to build a new stadium in Warren, Butler or Clermont counties. Those counties pride themselves on being fiscally responsible, so good luck raising the sales tax. Even then, sales tax wouldn’t generate enough money to build and maintain a modern NFL stadium. The state and NFL would have to chip in some money, but it still wouldn’t be anywhere near enough to get the project done. There’s no sense in looking at the Buffalo Bills’ model, where the team is paying just $350 million toward a new $1.7 billion suburban stadium. Leaders there put together a financing package that calls for the public to pony up $850 million, with $600 million coming from state taxpayers. The Bills are unique. They are New York state’s only team. They currently play in a 51-year-old venue, so they actually need a new stadium. (I’ve been there and can vouch for that.) And the Bills don’t have the reputation of being a drain on taxpayers like the Bengals do. Nonetheless, the NFL is made for the suburbs. Half the NFL stadiums are either in the suburbs or outside of downtown but still in the city limits. It’s less congested. It allows for all or most of the parking to be directly adjacent to the stadium, perfect for tailgating. It allows for easier access to the freeway. Go to a game at Arrowhead in Kansas City. It’s how all NFL stadiums should’ve been done. The stadium is still in the city limits, but eight miles outside of downtown in a suburban-like area. All the parking surrounds the stadium. There are no cluttered city streets to access the stadium to and from the interstate. Some 10 NFL teams play in a different jurisdiction than the city it represents. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals play in a suburb of Phoenix and the New England Patriots play in a suburb of Boston. Do you ever hear about fans complaining about their team being in the suburbs? Few fans would complain if the Bengals made, say, “Ohio’s Largest Playground” larger. https://sports.yahoo.com/williams-cincinnati-bengals-browns-lead-015017319.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 No Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|High School Harry| Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 7 minutes ago, Jamie_B said: No I dunno... The Norwood Bengals has a nice ring to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 Just now, High School Harry said: I dunno... The Norwood Bengals has a nice ring to it. I'll persuade the team to trade for mixon back... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griever Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 I have been to PBS exactly one time, in 2019. This was before the recent improvements, Paycor rebranding, etc. I thought it was fine...all this talk about a completely new stadium is wild to me. It is 24 years old, and it still looks great to me. Here's the thing, I understand the importance of upkeep, maintenance, safety, modern amenities...But my god, I'm going to WATCH THE GAME. This is starting to sound like "old man yelling at cloud" rant, but how much do people really need that cannot be provided via improvements to Paycor? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 That seems crazy to me. I've been to a handful of games in Cincy, and the whole vibe is awesome. You have downtown right there, or the banks. If you have ever been to NRG in Houston, there is NOTHING to walk to... and even if there was, you would get robbed with a screwdriver on the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEarl Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 I don't see a good reason for the Bengals to move to the suburbs. It's a good location with plenty of activity. BUT....If Brown/Blackburn wanted to make some big money he/she could look for a location where they could develop the area around a stadium ala Patriot Place, or the Atlanta Braves Truist Park/The Battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawshark13 Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 This has to be one of the stupidest articles I've seen...just gobsmackingly stupid. As some of have said, the whole vibe of being downtown is fantastic, there are a massive number of hotels within walking distance, restaurants and bars to frequent, ample tailgating space and vehicular access just is not that damn difficult. When I've been back for a game I've usually just parked a 10 minute-ish walk away so that your can make a quicker escape than being right at the stadium. Last fall my brother got premium parking right in one of the stadium lots and while getting in and out was a little bit of a pain...it was not a big deal. Or...we could drop a stadium in the middle of the burbs and hope for the best... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|High School Harry| Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 2 hours ago, Jamie_B said: I'll persuade the team to trade for mixon back... Good idea. A fool running around Norwood waiving around a gun would be nothing new and probably go unnoticed. The could rename the new Norwood Stadium The Flyin' Brian Stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebengal Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 2 hours ago, UncleEarl said: I don't see a good reason for the Bengals to move to the suburbs. It's a good location with plenty of activity. BUT....If Brown/Blackburn wanted to make some big money he/she could look for a location where they could develop the area around a stadium ala Patriot Place, or the Atlanta Braves Truist Park/The Battery. This is what the Haslams are hoping to do with the location in Brook Park. Plus, it is really close to Cleveland Hopkins Airport. They have the money to develop the area around a stadium in Brook Park. I don't think Mike Brown has the financial ability to develop an area around a new stadium in the suburbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky151 Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 The Haslams own the Columbus Crew MLS team in partnership with Dr Pete Edwards (former team doctor but also son of founder of Edwards Companies). So they are developing an areas in the Columbus Arena District called Astor Park next to the new soccer stadium. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|BlackJesus| Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 Hell fucking no! 😡 The Bengals currently have the BEST stadium location in the entire NFL. Not one of the best, the actual best. Teams should also have to play in the city they are named after. Arlington Cowboys. Foxborough Patriots etc. Hell the Giants and Jets don't even play in the actual state. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 2 minutes ago, BlackJesus said: Hell fucking no! 😡 The Bengals currently have the BEST stadium location in the entire NFL. Not one of the best, the actual best. Teams should also have to play in the city they are named after. Arlington Cowboys. Foxborough Patriots etc. Hell the Giants and Jets don't even play in the actual state. The Landover Commanders It might make teams work with the cities to ensure stadiums are IN the city. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEarl Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 1 hour ago, Shebengal said: This is what the Haslams are hoping to do with the location in Brook Park. Plus, it is really close to Cleveland Hopkins Airport. They have the money to develop the area around a stadium in Brook Park. I don't think Mike Brown has the financial ability to develop an area around a new stadium in the suburbs. You don't have to have a ton of money to develop an area. You have to have people with a ton of money ready to invest in developing that area. The developer usually has some skin in the game, but most of the money comes from the investors. The developer makes a nice profit and has little business risk down the road. Profitable game if you know how to play it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 1 hour ago, Shebengal said: This is what the Haslams are hoping to do with the location in Brook Park. Plus, it is really close to Cleveland Hopkins Airport. They have the money to develop the area around a stadium in Brook Park. I don't think Mike Brown has the financial ability to develop an area around a new stadium in the suburbs. I know what they are thinking: a "little cheaper land" away from downtown and closer to transportation hubs/freeways north-south. I still suspect a Mileti/Richfield-like project. This will fail. Cleveland sports are defined by the Lakefront--and every franchise is located there. The downtown has exploded in hotels and amenities. If you live there, getting to/from is a breeze. My nephew (lives in Lakewood) hasn't driven to a CFT/GuarIndians/Cavs game in years--does it all by train. If it is only all about a dome, I'm not sure the locals will really care. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebengal Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 2 hours ago, Le Tigre said: I know what they are thinking: a "little cheaper land" away from downtown and closer to transportation hubs/freeways north-south. I still suspect a Mileti/Richfield-like project. This will fail. Cleveland sports are defined by the Lakefront--and every franchise is located there. The downtown has exploded in hotels and amenities. If you live there, getting to/from is a breeze. My nephew (lives in Lakewood) hasn't driven to a CFT/GuarIndians/Cavs game in years--does it all by train. If it is only all about a dome, I'm not sure the locals will really care. Cuyahoga County officials came out today against giving any money to the Haslams for a Brook Park facility. They want to focus on downtown and lakefront development instead. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted August 13 Report Share Posted August 13 1 hour ago, Shebengal said: Cuyahoga County officials came out today against giving any money to the Haslams for a Brook Park facility. They want to focus on downtown and lakefront development instead. Good for them. As it should be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esjbh2 Posted August 13 Report Share Posted August 13 Dumb...I can't believe a Cincinnati based writer would even venture down this path. Being a Cincinnati resident I can't even envision where you could put a stadium in any of the city suburbs...not enough contiguous real estate. Several years ago the local now major league soccer team (FC Cincinnati) went thru the exercise of finding real estate for their stadium and it was slim pickens to say the least. It would have to be halfway to Dayton to even have enough room IMHO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|BlackJesus| Posted August 13 Report Share Posted August 13 Imagine the degenerate level of stupidity it takes to believe that this backdrop ... Is better than this ... ... Only a craven soulless piece of shit would be shameless enough to try and sell this obvious lie to anyone with eyes. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEarl Posted August 13 Report Share Posted August 13 38 minutes ago, BlackJesus said: Imagine the degenerate level of stupidity it takes to believe that this backdrop ... Is better than this ... ... Only a craven soulless piece of shit would be shameless enough to try and sell this obvious lie to anyone with eyes. Apples and Oranges. (I'm assuming that's AT&T in Texas) Both are centrally located for fans. One is a revenue machine for their owner who paid for the vast majority of the construction costs. Paycor is a decent stadium by NFL standards that I hope has been upgraded to fix many less than optimal issues. Each stadium is appropriate for their team and area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted August 13 Report Share Posted August 13 1 hour ago, BlackJesus said: Imagine the degenerate level of stupidity it takes to believe that this backdrop ... Is better than this ... ... Only a craven soulless piece of shit would be shameless enough to try and sell this obvious lie to anyone with eyes. Those pics tell it all.. Now the costs and what county is willing to pay. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeds Orange Posted August 13 Report Share Posted August 13 Isn't this latest Paycor remodel going to bring with it and extension of the lease, or no? If so, isn't any discussion of a new stadium pointless for the near future? If there's a team that needs to get away from the city, it's the Titans, but they're doubling down and building a new Nissan Stadium right beside the current Nissan Stadium. Traffic flow into and out of the stadium area is a nightmare IF you're able to park in the stadium lots, and most have to park across the river in downtown and cross on a pedestrian bridge. The problem with the site is the problem with the entire city, and that's a spaghetti mess of multiple intersecting interstates, and there's really no fixing that. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelWeston Posted August 13 Report Share Posted August 13 8 hours ago, sparky151 said: The Haslams own the Columbus Crew MLS team in partnership with Dr Pete Edwards (former team doctor but also son of founder of Edwards Companies). So they are developing an areas in the Columbus Arena District called Astor Park next to the new soccer stadium. FWIW I live in Columbus and have never heard of this. Looks interesting but the fact that the stadium is downtown already is what matters. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted August 13 Report Share Posted August 13 7 hours ago, MichaelWeston said: FWIW I live in Columbus and have never heard of this. Looks interesting but the fact that the stadium is downtown already is what matters. Lower.com was built on some leftover former Ohio Pen land not already taken by Nationwide and Huntington Field. None of the Arena District stadia are easy to get to…and Lower.com is even harder. Parking is abysmal. I give credit to Haslam/Edwards for this Astor Park project. It will make the surrounding area not only more interesting, but accessible as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|BlackJesus| Posted August 13 Report Share Posted August 13 8 hours ago, claptonrocks said: Those pics tell it all.. The Chiefs stadium is even worse to me ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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