In an era where some NFL teams are fleeing downtowns for suburbs, the Bengals and Hamilton County have collaborated to keep the team in the heart of Cincinnati through 2036 and potentially another decade beyond. 

The new lease, in which the team agreed to significant changes with the county, cements the Bengals as an Ohio River anchor for 70 years beginning when Bengals President Mike Brown advised his father and franchise founder Paul Brown to put an expansion team in Cincinnati during the mid-1960s.

"I have great memories of bringing an NFL franchise to Cincinnati with my father," said Mike Brown. "Loyalty is very important. We have been loyal to Cincinnati and appreciate the loyalty our fans and the community have shown to us." 

The Bengals, looking to keep the Cincinnati legacy alive, hammered out a deal with a new generation of civic leaders laced with key compromises that include rent payments for the Bengals and removing county obligations for potential future enhancements that often exist for other stadiums. 

The agreement was years in the making with the Bengals making it clear they wanted to stay in Paycor Stadium every step of the way. Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn expressed the team's appreciation thanking the Hamilton County Commissioners for "demonstrating leadership and taking steps that continue moving Cincinnati forward."

The Bengals and Hamilton County view their lease as an innovative and efficient way to keep the county in-line with their goals and the team competitive in the NFL in a city where the Bengals drive over $1 billion of The Banks' $2.5 billion annual economic impact. 

"This new agreement continues a vision that started thirty years ago when the community voted to invest in its downtown and build a world-class riverfront," said Bengals Vice President Troy Blackburn. "Today, Cincinnati's riverfront and broad mixed-use development serves as a showcase and selling point for our community. The millions of people who visit, attend sporting events, stroll along the parks, and enjoy the restaurants and music events leave with priceless memories and a favorable impression of what this community can do when it comes together."

The $470 million renovation project addresses key elements to modernize Paycor Stadium while taking responsible measures to protect the taxpayers. 

"We want to compete at the highest level in the NFL here in Cincinnati," said Bengals Vice President Paul Brown. "It was important to have an agreement that works for us, works for our fans and works for the community." 

With the Bengals, the county, and the stadium manager being good stewards of Paycor Stadium, the overall project costs pale in comparison next to the multi-billion dollar new stadiums springing up in similar markets and similar venues. 

The Bills are remaining in suburban Buffalo with a price tag escalating to $2.2 billion for Orchard Park's new Highmark Stadium. The Titans are putting up a $2.1 billion structure next to their current stadium in downtown Nashville. In Cleveland, the Browns are leaving the city for a reported $2.4 billion project in the Brook Park suburb. 

The existing stadiums in Cleveland and Tennessee opened in 1999. The Bengals came a year later, and watched their building hold up well enough to be renovated rather than vacated.

The new lease is about the future. Amidst a groundbreaking decade with a team that has been to two AFC title games in the 2020s to go with two AFC North titles, there are exciting years ahead. Strength on the field combined with a new-look gameday experience and top-tier fan engagement engineered by Paul Brown's great-granddaughters lays a strong foundation for the future.

In talking with the Bengals' fourth generation of leaders, Caroline and Elizabeth Blackburn say, "We are proud to call Cincinnati our home. We love this city, and we love our fans. We are committed to investing in our team, our stadium, and our community with the motivation to win games and compete for championships for Who Dey Nation and Cincinnati. We look forward to building a strong future together."

The future is bright.