CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The Cincinnati Bengals have announced their intention to pursue a new lease agreement for Paycor Stadium without relying on state funding from Ohio. Duane Haring, the Bengals’ director of stadium and event operations, stated that while the team would welcome state aid, they are prepared to move forward with Hamilton County independently.
“An agreement between the Bengals and Hamilton County can be achieved now without waiting on what the state ultimately decides,” said Haring in a statement to Local 12.
The urgency stems from the Ohio state budget, which may not be finalized before a critical deadline in the lease negotiations. The Bengals’ current lease expires in June 2026, and the team has until the end of next month to decide whether to extend the current deal by two years, a decision they can make up to four more times for a total of 10 years. A county spokeswoman had no comment.
The Ohio State Senate Finance Committee has begun hearings on the state’s two-year budget, but funding for Paycor Stadium renovations and a new Cleveland Browns stadium was not on the agenda Tuesday.
Tom Gabelman, the lawyer leading the talks for the county since the late 1990s, expressed optimism about the negotiations before his removal at the request of Prosecutor Connie Pillich . “I was fully confident in that,” said Gabelman, who retired after being dismissed by county commissioners.
Haring confirmed that the Bengals are committing $120 million towards the $830 million renovation cost. The team and county are reportedly close to agreeing on a 10-year lease, with potential extensions for another 10 years.
County Commissioner Denise Driehaus has called for the Bengals to cover a third of the overall costs, while the county seeks more than $300 million from the state. Governor Mike DeWine proposed doubling the state’s sports wagering tax to fund Ohio’s professional stadiums, but the Ohio House’s budget includes a $600 million bond for a new Browns stadium, with no allocation for the Bengals.
DeWine’s spokesman noted the governor’s “distinct concerns” about using general fund money for stadiums. Republican Senate Finance Committee member Lou Blessing also opposes using general funds for stadiums, stating he would “refuse to bend” on the issue.
The Ohio Senate is expected to vote on its proposed budget in the coming weeks, with a final version due to Governor DeWine by June 30. However, past budgets have extended beyond this deadline, including last year when a final version wasn’t passed until early July.