That would be a wild twist.
As the deadline for the Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County to work out a new lease draws near, there has been a new twist in the plot.
When trying to get public funding for new stadiums or upgrades, team owners usually threaten to move the team in hopes it applies public pressure.
In this situation, that may not be the case. As the Ohio State Budget gets closer to governor Mike DeWine’s desk, the Bengals and Hamilton County will not only have a path to state funding for renovations, but there could be a path to taxpayers owning the team, if needed, according to Erin Glynn of The Cincinnati Enquirer.
The compromise in the budget plan between the House and Senate features language that would require Bengals ownership to give six months’ notice before relocating the team. This is because Paycor Stadium is “a tax-supported facility for most of its home games,” and they would be receiving money from the state.
If the Bengals were to look to relocate, owner Mike Brown would then be forced to give the local residents or local government the opportunity to buy the team before they can move outside of Cincinnati.
The Green Bay Packers are in a similar situation, where the team is actually owned by a group of residents. Thinking that is a possibility for the Bengals is a stark contrast from the ownership group.
In an ideal world, the two sides reach an agreement before June 30th, but it does appear there is another layer of protection that could keep the Bengals in Cincinnati if needed.
