Hamilton County Commissioners and the Bengals are asking Ohio lawmakers for $350 million to renovate Paycor Stadium.
The county announced the request Thursday, just one day after lawmakers in the House passed a controversial budget plan to give $600 million in 30-year state-backed bonds to the Cleveland Browns for a new domed stadium outside city limits in Brook Park. The bonds are expected to cost the state nearly a billion dollars over 30 years; the budget now heads to the state Senate.
The budget proposed by House Republicans passed on a mostly party-line vote, but not all Republicans are happy to give the Browns such a big check.
“Every one of those teams will have its hand out for state cash for a stadium project in the future — and the Browns deal sets the floor for such discussions,” wrote Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican also running for governor. “None of those teams would concede that the hapless Browns are more important to Ohio — or more deserving of our cash — than its own club.”
What are the plans for Paycor?
As for Paycor, the proposed plan covers a lot — from critical infrastructure upgrades to flashy fan-facing improvements—and is scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2028. Unlike Cleveland, where a whole new stadium is on the table, Hamilton County’s pitch leans into maintaining and modernizing the existing riverfront property.
“Because Hamilton County and the team took care of the stadium and protected the taxpayer’s investment, constructing a new NFL stadium is not necessary,” the proposal says, noting that a new build could cost upwards of $2.4 billion.
Instead, they’re asking for support to fund big-ticket upgrades, including:
- Stadium-wide vertical transportation improvements (think new escalators and elevators)
- Canopy and roofing system replacement
- Fully modernized audio-visual systems
- North End Zone transformation to increase seating and improve crowd movement
- New field-level clubs, suites and seating to increase year-round events
- Club and suite modernization
- Improved accessibility and safety measures
- Upgraded entry and security tech
The proposal also says the county and city plan to leverage the stadium’s renovation to jumpstart $500 million in additional development “directly adjacent” to the venue.
“As the State assesses sound strategies for retaining Ohio’s professional sports franchises, it should prioritize support for communities that have demonstrated a successful integration of Stadium development with a combination of projects resulting in true urban renewal with significant economic development impact,” the proposal reads.
What’s next?
It’s unclear whether the state legislature will include the $350 million request in its final budget—especially with another Ohio NFL team already in line for public money. The Bengals must decide by June 30 whether to trigger the first of five rolling two-year lease extensions at Paycor. So far, there’s no new long-term lease deal between the team and the county.
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This article appears in Apr 9-15, 2025.
