The Who Dey Way is no more after the Cincinnati Bengals and Gold Star Chili have decided to part ways.
Gold Star Chili announced Wednesday that their decades-long partnership to be the official chili of the NFL team has ended.
“It has been our privilege to be the Official Chili of the Cincinnati Bengals for more than 21 years. We’ve shown up for this team and Who Dey Nation in the good times and the bad; when the franchise had a winning record and a losing one. No fair-weather fans at Gold Star, that’s for sure,” the chain said in a statement.
That being said Skyline Chili, who is the official chili partner with the rest of Cincinnati’s pro sports teams, will now be – you guessed it – the official chili of the Bengals. The Bengals announced the multi-year partnership on April 19.
“Skyline Chili is a Cincinnati staple, and we look forward to bringing two iconic Cincinnati brands together to deliver delightful experiences and cultivate Cincinnati-pride,” Elizabeth Blackburn, the Bengals’ director of strategy and engagement, said in a press release. “We remain focused on providing fans with a first-class experience and hope Skyline Chili and coneys are a well-received addition for our amazing fans.”
Skyline’s coneys will now be available at concession stands throughout Paycor Stadium. The team and Skyline will also partner on creating a collectible cup series that will be sold at participating Ohio and Kentucky Skylines during the Bengals’ 2023 season.
“Skyline is known for bringing people together, so we’re honored to bring that experience to fans as they enjoy Skyline and cheer on our beloved Bengals from inside the stadium,” Sarah Sicking, Skyline’s vice president of marketing and brand engagement said in the release.
The switch comes after the Bengals, well, got good again, breaking their decades-long playoff season win drought in January 2022, which ultimately led them to the Super Bowl. And this past season, the Bengals posted a 12-4 win-loss record in the regular season and won two playoff games before being beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.
In their statement, Gold Star says while they’re no longer the Bengals’ official chili on paper, they’ll still rally for the team, the fans and Cincinnati.
“We will always be the official chili in our hearts and our commitment to the team. We bleed orange and black. And we will always, always root the hardest and loudest for our Bengals and our city. We look forward to finding new ways to show our love to Who Dey Nation, the best fans in football, and the city we love. As always, we’re cooking up something great. Stay tuned.”
You can read Gold Star's entire statement below:
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