Reds OK Amendment to Lease

Today, The Cincinnati Enquirer had an article introducing the brand new, hi-def video board that was installed at Great American Ball Park in the offseason.

What makes the article relevant to WDR is that the Reds agreed to amend their lease with the county.  The Reds are now totally financially responsible for the scoreboard and its upkeep.

The Reds will be responsible for the cost and ongoing maintenance of the displays, after Hamilton County commissioners voted Wednesday to amend the county’s 2003 lease with the Reds to make the scoreboard the team’s financial responsibility. Hamilton County owns the ballpark, and its lease with the Reds had made the county responsible for park components such as scoreboards.

The Reds are clearly committed to making the ballpark an engrossing, special experience for their fans.  Every year since Bob Castellini has taken over, there has been improvements to the stadium...from the hi-def video zone, to the riverboat in centerfield, to the Frontgate Furniture Suite, to an improved fan-zone.  I realize football games and baseball games differ drastically, but you have to respect the fact that the Reds are actively trying to protect and grow their fan base.

The Bengals video boards are outdated...and half the time they malfunctioned last season.  The Bengals should be addressing this issue, and yes even if it has to come out of their own pockets.  Paul Brown Stadium opened in 2000.  That is a lifetime in terms of technological advances in video screens. As the Reds found out, it actually could save the Bengals money in the long run because these boards are much more energy efficient (use only about 1/4 the amount of energy the older boards use).  

Again, this is just another example of how the Reds are rewarding their loyal fan base, while increasing their own revenues in creative ways.  In addition, they are being good civic partners with Hamilton County in these trying times.

Now, all of this would be a moot point if the Bengals had a decent sized scouting department, a GM with one singular vision for this football team, an indoor practice facility, and ownership that was dedicated to winning a Super Bowl.  Or just ONE of those items I just listed.  But the fact is the Bengals don't have ANY of those things, AND they don't treat their loyal fans with respect, AND they are lousy civic partners.  AND they have the worst professional record in all four major sports since 1991.

Who's ready for Opening Day?

Comments

[Chris]

Please fix the escalator on the northeast side of the stadium first. That goddamn thin hasn't worked for two years and causes a traffic jam when were all trying to get the fuck out of that stadium at halftime.

[top six]

This is a silly post. You really want the Bengals spending more money on the stadium? Who cares? If the Bengals have any money to spend it should go - as you constantly say - to players and player development. And you really want them to emulate the f-ing Reds, who paid money to hire the worst manager in baseball, and who pay guys with under .300 OBP to bat lead off? I'll take a team - like the Bengals - that just doesn't spend money, rather than a team that spends it in the dumbest way possible like the Reds.

[Danimal]

On an unrelated note, I just looked at the spin machine at Bengals.com, and Baghdad Hob did an elaborate piece of suckage about a former Bengal who became a scout. However, he scouts for the Seahawks. Chuck Fisher, the #33 overall pick in the '99 draft(that wasn't really a good draft for us)who blew his knee on Opening Day in '99. His first 6 minutes was his last with the Bengals, another sad tale of a Bengals draft prospect becoming damaged goods. Though this fluff piece is typical BH, there was some slight comedic relief when Corey Dillon's name pops out as a former Bengal who Fisher stays in contact with. What really baffles me is that there's a photo of Malcolm Jenkins on the Bengals.com homepage.

But I digress. I'm fucking ready for Opening Day.

[WCH]

Here we go again... "We need an inddor practice facility!" Never one to stop abusing deceased equines?

One more time -- for clarity's sake... ...Having a indoor practice facility doesn't mean SQUAT. Last year they MIGHT've used it for a game -- in case you were on planet Alderon 7 someplace, ONE GAME WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED ANYTHING -- and that is assuming they would have won that game. Cry cry some more.

[braveduck]

Totally disagree "top six". Details, details, details. It maybe a very small one at that, but it's further proof that Bob Castellini is committed to making the best experience (within his financial means) possible for fans. You can argue that Baker isn't the perfect Manager, and some of the player personel decisions haven't been stellar. But the fact is, he is committed to winning and willing to make CHANGES in order achieve it. Mike Brown is the exact opposite. I'll take effort over greed and complacency any day of the week.

[PAl]

WCH, you're continued crusade against anybody who brings up an indoor practice facility is annoying. I still say that you are really Mike Brown trying to justify another one of your cons to the fans. The enthusiasm over the facility was false hope that the Bengals were actually going to act like a real NFL franchise. Personally, I don't care if they have an indoor facility or not. This team is so dysfunctional it needs an act of God to help it.

As far as you top six, I'm sure that there is a Red's blog somewhere to vent your hatred of them. What the hell does anything you said in your post have to do with this one?

[Chris]

In 04 the Bengals were making a playoff push that nearly ended in St Louis when we were embarrassed in their dome. This may have been due to cutting practices short due the the rain/wind and cold that week in Cincinnati. It doesn't matter how many times you use it, it's just something you need to have when you play this far north. When a top tier free agent leaves his home in Vegas or L.A next winter and comes to the midwest where it's snowing and miserable who's going to leave a better impression on him? The team that sends a cab for him and has inadequate facilities or a any other team in the division with enclosed training facilities and a desire to win. This article wasn't to draw a correlation between the two teams on the field, but off the field. The Castellinies are committed to not only winning but improving the fans experience at the game.