Just weeks ago, it appeared that the Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County were on the verge of reaching a long-term agreement that would solidify the team’s future at Paycor Stadium for years to come. In May, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), a critical step in negotiating a new lease before the current one expires. With a deadline looming on June 30, optimism was high that a deal could be finalized without issue.
However, what once seemed like smooth sailing has taken a sudden and serious turn. In a surprising development, the long-serving Hamilton County attorney, Tom Gabelman, who has represented the county in every stadium negotiation since Paycor Stadium opened, was abruptly replaced after a May 15th vote. Gabelman had not only become a fixture in these types of high-stakes discussions but was also a familiar and trusted figure in the Bengals’ corner.
The decision to remove Gabelman from the process has clearly rattled the team’s confidence. Aaron Herzig, an attorney from Taft Stettinius & Hollister who handles lease negotiations on behalf of the Bengals, didn’t hold back when describing the move. He referred to Gabelman’s removal as “a real step backward” in the ongoing talks and expressed concern that the change undermined the spirit of the MOU both sides had previously agreed upon.
Herzig also highlighted that when the Bengals entered the agreement in May, they were not made aware of any impending changes in legal representation. The timing and suddenness of Gabelman’s removal have led to concerns within the organization, particularly since the Bengals are known for valuing consistency and long-standing professional relationships in delicate negotiations such as this one.
While the Bengals do have a two-year extension option on their current lease, the primary objective for both the team and the county was to secure a longer-term commitment. The goal was to reach an agreement that would ensure the team remains in Cincinnati well beyond the short-term extension, potentially paving the way for future renovations or even more significant investments in Paycor Stadium.
The replacement of Gabelman raises fresh uncertainty and injects friction into what had been described as a cooperative and constructive process. For a deal involving potentially billions of dollars in public and private investment, this late-stage disruption is particularly troubling.
With just weeks remaining until the June 30 deadline, both sides now face the challenge of regaining momentum and trust. While there’s still ample time to reach a resolution, this shake-up could complicate efforts and require significant diplomatic and legal recalibration.
Despite the current setback, most expect the Bengals to remain in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future. However, the road to securing that future has suddenly become much more complicated. Negotiations will need to regain stability — and fast — if both parties hope to avoid further delays or public disputes.
As the clock ticks down, the spotlight will remain fixed on Hamilton County and the Bengals to see if they can overcome this new hurdle and finalize an agreement that benefits both the franchise and the city it calls home.