Cincinnati Bengals Negotiate Lease Agreement Updates
Bengals Paycor deadline Approaches; County leaders Say Deal Is Near
With the June 30 deadline quickly approaching, Hamilton County leaders remain confident that an agreement will be reached with the Cincinnati Bengals regarding the future of Paycor Stadium. Behind-the-scenes negotiations are ongoing, as both parties work toward a lease arrangement that balances the needs of the team with the interests of local taxpayers.
At the heart of the discussions are proposed renovations to the 24-year-old stadium and a push to secure a more favorable lease agreement that reduces the financial burden on the public. The Bengals must decide by Monday whether to commit to a long-term lease extension, accept a short-term two-year deal, or walk away entirely—an outcome that could upend the team’s decades-long relationship with the city.
County officials have also made a bold request for $350 million in state funding to help cover the costs of the planned upgrades to the stadium. However, the latest version of the state budget proposal did not include this funding, raising the stakes for local leaders trying to hammer out a viable path forward.
Despite the uncertainties, optimism remains high. County leaders are signaling that meaningful progress has been made in recent talks, and they are hopeful that a deal can be finalized before the looming deadline. A resolution would mark a critical milestone in ensuring the Bengals remain in Cincinnati while also addressing concerns about long-term taxpayer investment in the facility.
As the clock ticks down, all eyes will be on Hamilton County and the Bengals to see if a compromise can be reached that satisfies both economic realities and hometown pride.
