While most people in Bengaldom have either forgotten or come to peace with the bogus stadium deal the Bengals were able to "negotiate," we here at WDR would like to do our small part to keep reminding Bengals fans the absurdity of the whole situation. So when Mike Brown claims that the "small market" Bengals can't afford free agents, medical facilities and a front office, you can remember how your taxpayer money (if you live in Hamilton Country) is basically going right into Mike Brown's pocket.
The whole story is much too long to rehash in one post, so we will focus on one aspect of the deal each post.
Today's topic: the Bengals' blatant deception. As described in the opinion of the 6th District Court of Appeals from the lawsuit brought by Hamilton County against the Bengals and the NFL, Mike Brown demanded a new stadium in 1995 because Riverfront did not have enough luxury boxes (luxury box revenue goes right to the team and is not shared with other NFL teams as part of the NFL revenue sharing agreement), causing the team's revenues and profits to be among the lowest in the NFL. This, Brown claimed, put the team at a competitive disadvantage vis a vis other NFL teams.
Out of fear of losing the team, taxpayers approved a sales tax hike to pay for the stadium with 61% of the vote in March 1996.
During negotiations with Hamilton County after the sales tax was
approved, Brown refused to share any of the Bengals' financial records
with the County, claiming it would violate NFL policy. But, it
promised both the County and Hamilton County taxpayers that they were
in dire financial straits. The deal was signed in May 1997 and taxpayers have been funding a losing team ever since.
However, in 2001, the Los Angeles Times published the revenues and profits of all NFL teams, obtained from records resulting in a lawsuit between the Oakland Raiders and the NFL. In 1996, when Mike Brown was claiming that the Bengals could not compete due to insufficient revenue - the Bengals had the 8th highest profits in the NFL. In 1997, when Mike Brown was negotiating with the County - the Bengals had the 9th highest profits in the NFL.
So, Bengals fans - do not let Mike Brown fool you. Never forget his deception. It is up to us to demand changes and to demand a winning team. Because until we do, Brown will continue to maximize revenues and squeeze costs and leave fans in the dust.
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