Hamilton County outlines Paycor Stadium lease proposals; approves escalator purchase amid debate

Hamilton County commissioners heard a public update June 12 on negotiations with the Cincinnati Bengals over a new long-term lease for Paycor Stadium and approved an escalator purchase for the stadium’s club entrance.

The presentation by County Administrator Jeff Aludo summarized term-sheet language exchanged in April and showed wide differences between the county’s and the team’s proposals on lease length, capital contributions, rent and operation costs. After discussion, the board voted 2–1 to approve a $1,525,000 contract to replace club‑level escalators.

The update was intended to give “a snapshot in time” of talks with the team, Aludo told the commissioners and the public. “The board has been clear that it desires a new lease for Paycor Stadium that’s consistent with the NFL market, keeps the team here for as long as possible, doesn’t raise taxes,” he said. Aludo said the county will use the existing stadium sales tax fund — a voter‑approved fund dating to 1996 — as the primary public funding source and is not discussing a new sales tax.

Why it matters: the lease term and public contribution levels determine how much county taxpayers could be asked to pay and how the county would finance a renovation estimated at about $830 million. The county’s April proposal would cap the county’s capital contribution at $270 million, the team’s initial…