The powers that be for the Cincinnati Bengals decided they were going to put massive amounts of money and effort into their organization.
Paycor Stadium, formerly Paul Brown Stadium, will be receiving upgrades that potentially range from $100-120 million.
The Cincinnati Bengals have been notoriously cheap in years past
Since owner and president Mike Brown took over the Bengals organization, they have been known as relatively cheap when compared to other NFL teams.
When the yearly report card featuring organizational grades came out in 2023, analysts Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless were not surprised at the Bengals’ poor grades as they mentioned in an article from Stripe Hype.
“Trey Hendrickson, he knew Mike Brown was cheap. He knew the history of the Cincinnati Bengals…he signed with the cheap Bengals!” Sharpe would later say, “What do you want me to make of this Skip? Everybody knows the Bengals are cheap.”
“The Cincinnati stuff didn’t surprise me one bit because that’s who they’ve always been. A mom’s and pop’s shop, operation,” Bayless said.
As Brown has continued to age, Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn has chipped away at the narrative that the Bengals are cheap. The team has spent more money in free agency than they ever have, and now they are pouring massive amounts of cash into their stadium.
Upgrades to Paycor Stadium are part of a long-term plan to keep the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati
According to the Bengals website, improvements to the stadium are part of a grander plan to keep the team in Cincinnati.
The Bengals website also says that this investment brings the total investment over the past few seasons to about $150 million.
The investment is a private investment, which means it does not take money from the taxes of the citizens of Ohio. Mayn fans and Cincinnati natives are excited about the future of the Bengals in Cincinnati.
🌆 let’s do this. pic.twitter.com/3hqmCwy4wx
— ZIM (@zimwhodey) May 22, 2024
Good on the Bengals for securing private funding instead of placing a significant debt on taxpayers. Much respect.
— Tim Rogers (@TheTimRogers) May 21, 2024
Cincinnati is not Cincinnati without the Bengals
— Gridiron Gage (@gridirongage) May 21, 2024
I absolutely LOVE this football team and football family. I always have of course, but my love only grows. Especially in the Burrow Era. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/NJMKSh6xon
— Jeff Wagner (@bengalbannerboy) May 22, 2024
Plans for the types of renovations to Paycor Stadium were released by the Cincinnati Bengals
Blackburn addressed why improvements to Paycor Stadium are being made as the stadium enters its 25th season of use in an article from the Bengals website.
“The Bengals are continuing to invest in our future here in Cincinnati,” said Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn. “We are lucky to have a great stadium and we are proud to invest in this great asset to help make it a best-in-class facility. We love our fans and can think of no better way to celebrate our 25th season in Paycor Stadium than to announce these major improvements that will make the gameday experience even better.”
The process of making improvements to the stadium will last through 2026. the improvements that will be made include fan-facing areas such as improved and updated video/audio systems, renovations to club lounges and suites, concession upgrades and “beautification” projects.
This goes along with $40 million in private investments that have already been made that include the IEL Indoor Facility, a new locker room, and upgraded training room, new ribbon video boards, pro shop upgrades and concession upgrades.
The Cincinnati Bengals have made several moves in recent years to prove that they are embracing a new era and massive upgrades to Paycor Stadium may be the biggest one yet.
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