Why Hamilton County has hired outside help in Paycor Stadium Lease
3 mins read

Why Hamilton County has hired outside help in Paycor Stadium Lease

Hamilton County officials took a nationally known company to help negotiate A new lease for PayCor Stadium with the Bengals.

Hamilton County has agreed with New York City-based internal circular sports And the company’s sports management expert, David Abrams, said Hamilton County Commissioners in a public meeting on Thursday.

The county did not respond to Enquirer’s request for a copy of the contract and did not reveal the cost or specifications of the arrangement.

Why the county has sought help

The county hopes that Abrams and Inner Circle can help to get taxpayers a better deal than in the 1990s when the original stadium rent was created, says Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus. The company provides a national perspective on stadions across the country, she said.

“This board has been very clear about the fact that we want a lease that is fair, which reflects the market,” Driehaus said. “We need that information. I think it is really important that we have taken another strategy to negotiate a lease with BengalsAnd that the national consultant is a really important part of it. “

Who is David Abrams from Inner Circle Sports?

Abrams has negotiated six NFL stadium agreements in Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville and Nashville, According to Inner Circle’s website.

Abrams did not respond to a message sought comment.

Agreement details unclear

Exactly when the county agreed with the internal circle was not completed. Inner Circle’s contract with the county is about to expire and is about to be renewed, says Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece on Thursday. Reece said she wants to see a report on what the internal circle has done on behalf of the county.

Where the negotiations with the Bengals stand

Calls and tension between Hamilton County and the Bengals have escalated as both sides have acted allegations of breaking against Payle Stadium rental agreement. They also have bicked over tax relief for stadium renovations.

The lease agreement between Bengals and Hamilton County for the 25-year-old county-owned football arena expires in 2026. The Bengals have until June this year to decide whether to exercise the first of five, two-year extensions of the current lease.

Taxpayers and commissioners have decided on the current lease signed in 1997 To put 90% of the construction and land acquisition of the stadium on taxpayers. The semi -centric VAT approved by voters in 1996 pays for stadium and its ongoing maintenance. Hamilton County Commissioners have said they want more investments from the team, NFL, the state and others for all upgrades to Paycor Stadium.

Who negotiates on behalf of the taxpayers?

Abrams and his co-workers at the Inner Circle are among several people in the room with Bengal’s representatives when the two pages are negotiating a new lease for the 25-year-old football arena, Aluotto said.

The negotiations are led by lawyers at the Prosecutor’s Office in Hamilton County, he said. In addition, the county has agreed with the law firm Frost Brown Todd on issues related to construction and design at Stadion. Frost Brown Todd Attorney Tom Gabelman Has worked for a long time at Stadion and Banking Development on behalf of the county. PFM Financial Advisors helps the county in financial issues related to the stadium, Aluotto said.

“We will be flexible in a way that uses the talent and the skills we have at the table,” Aluotto said.