Time Running Out on Bengals-Hamilton County Stadium Deal
The clock is winding down for the Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County to reach a new lease agreement for Paycor Stadium. Without an extension by June 30, the current lease will expire after the 2025 NFL season.
According to Chris Wetterich of the Cincinnati Business Courier, both the county and the team have submitted updated proposals. Hamilton County is offering a 20-year lease extension and is asking the Bengals to contribute $210 million toward an $830 million renovation plan. Under this framework, the county would commit $270 million, while the state of Ohio would provide $350 million.
The Bengals, in contrast, are proposing a five-year lease extension and offering to contribute $200 million. However, $45 million of that amount includes funds already spent on previous renovations. Their plan would require both the county and the state to each contribute at least $308 million.
Even under the county’s more favorable proposal, the Bengals would cover only 25.3% of the total renovation cost—a relatively low figure compared to the increasing trend of NFL teams covering 50% or more for new or upgraded facilities.
If no agreement is reached by June 30, the lease clock will begin ticking toward expiration. While Bengals executive Katie Blackburn has acknowledged that the team could technically relocate after this year, no alternative destination has been specified.
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