The future of the Cincinnati Bengals has been in flux as the franchise has been unable to come to terms for a new lease agreement with Paycor Stadium, which has made the possibility of the franchise relocating to a new city.
However, a major development in the situation broke on Thursday.
“Bengals and Hamilton County have agreed to a new deal to modernize Paycor Stadium and keep the Bengals in downtown Cincinnati through June 2036,” reported ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter then followed up with more details.
“The deal between the Bengals and Hamilton County includes 10 additional option years that could extend the lease through June 2046.”
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Stability breeds success. Locking down that stadium through 2036 gives Cincinnati something Cleveland knows matters – a home where players can build relationships with the community,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Paycor Stadium opened in 2000 and was one of the first NFL venues fully funded by public money after a voter-approved tax. With this new agreement, the Bengals will remain downtown for over 35 consecutive years, making it one of the longest current stadium tenures in the NFL,” one fan added.
“Always nice to get the normal people to pay for the billionaires toys. Taxes going to line NFL owners bank accounts,” one fan added.
“Ah so they can pay Trey and Shemar now that their biggest financial priority is a done deal,” added someone else.
It’ll be interesting to see what renovations the Bengals make.