The Bengals could soon be here to stay for the long haul.
The negotiations between the Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County for a new lease for Paycor Stadium have gotten very tense and very public in recent weeks.
With the sudden dismissal of long-time county negotiator Tom Gabelman, the displeasure from the Bengals’ end was well documented.
These things change quickly, and according to a report from Local 12’s James Pitcher on Tuesday evening, the Bengals and Hamilton County are reportedly close to a 10-year agreement on a new lease without any funding from the State of Ohio.
Bengals’ Director of Stadium and Event Operations Duane Haring said that the team and county are prepared to move forward independently, but they would welcome state aid.
“An agreement between the Bengals and Hamilton County can be achieved now without waiting on what the state ultimately decides,” Haring said.
Haring said the Bengals are prepared to fund $120 million out of the $830 renovation costs. Based on that number, the county and the team are reportedly close to finalizing a 10-year lease extension with the potential for an additional 10-year extension after that.
State funding could still come in to play, but with the hard deadline of the end of June looming, it is nice to hear the two sides are working toward the most important thing, which is keeping the Bengals in Cincinnati for the long haul.
