Hamilton County commissioners approve revised Bengals lease through 2036 in 2-1 vote

The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 on Aug. 1 to rescind a July 31 resolution and approve a revised lease and accompanying management agreement with the Cincinnati Bengals for Paycor Stadium that runs through June 30, 2036.

County and team attorneys exchanged revised language in the 24 hours before the special meeting, and the board approved a version of the lease the county said narrows the county’s exposure on parking and liability and tightens management reporting, budgeting and contracting requirements. "Many of these terms have turned out to be advantageous to, I think, both parties," outside counsel David Abrams said, describing late edits that address liability and parking thresholds.

The nut of the dispute was whether the county was getting an enforceable cap on potential future costs tied to stadium operations and capital projects. Board President Commissioner Driehaus said the new lease removes unlimited liabilities contained in the old agreement and imposes caps on annual and capital…