New Fax Letter to Mike Brown part I

[jdove28472]

September 17, 2008


From: Ken Dippel
4931 Forest Drive
Loris, SC 29569
(843) 333-2513

Attention: Mike Brown, Cincinnati Bengals Owner

Dear Mr. Brown:

Thanks for taking the time to write me back. I did not think you would even respond to my fax because of your busy schedule. Even though I have lived in the Carolinas all my life I have always been a lifelong Bengal fan. I live close to North Myrtle Beach, SC. Jerome Simpson is very familiar with North Myrtle Beach, SC. I remember the cold winter game back in the late 70’s back when your father had the team. The Bengals lost a heartbreaker 7-6 to the Steelers! The game probably went down in history as one of the hardest fought games in the NFL. It was bitter cold that day and was snowing at Three Rivers. I remember the big defensive lineman Coy Bacon back then. This team back then was disciplined and was hard nosed. Ken Anderson was quarterback then and Isaac Curtis was a receiver.

I faxed you that letter only because I do care about the team and I want to see this team not only be a winner, but also maybe in the future win a Super Bowl. Many other Bengal fans want the same. I will always be a Bengal fan no matter what and the Bengals will never completely lose my support. It is just that I am completely dissatisfied with the effort and play last season, this year’s pre-season, and the past two regular season games this year. The sad thing about the whole situation is the fact a lot of good talent is being thrown away. Losing is always difficult to deal with.

Worst yet is not being committed to producing a winning team on the field. Nobody likes to lose. There are always winners and losers in all aspects of life. You can never win if you cannot accept losing. The most important thing when you lose is you learn from your mistakes so you can win the next time you go into battle. When you are in a hole stop digging deeper! Make changes so you can get out of the deep trench you are in. Fans recognize that the Bengal organization is going to have to make changes. This starts first with coaching. I think of this quote when it comes to the very idea of change:

“We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden”.


I mention this to you because the second game of the season has passed now. The same type tactics used in the Ravens game resulted in yet another disappointing loss. During the Titan game I did not see really any drastic improvements. The Bengals defense is still one of the weakest in the league. It was pathetic! They still exhibited the same that always has been. They cannot stop the run against anyone. The defensive players miss tackles. From many fans perspectives the players are missing the fundamentals of hard nosed tackling. That Mr. Brown has to be emphasized and taught to the players each and every day at practice before game time by the coaches. The game plan the coaches use to defend prominent running teams does not make any sense. They always play four down lineman, three linebackers, and four defensive backs. They never stack the line and the defensive backs never play bump and run coverage. The Titan game was a perfect example of a failed game plan. Why is this so?

There were winds blowing past 45 miles an hour. Any common sense person knew that passing would be difficult and for the most part almost impossible. Nevertheless, the Bengal coaching staff had players not stack the line of scrimmage. This to any Bengal fan did not make any sense! The only way a team is going to beat you in conditions like this is by throwing missiles at you. Kerry Collins on that day never had the capability to do this. I believe if the defense would have always been stacked up to the line and played bump and run coverage the entire outcome of the Titan game would have been different. I hope that you will suggest to Marvin Lewis and the new defensive coordinator to think about stacking the line up and playing bump and run coverage. Maybe if you could get the defense to do this we can not only win but be a dominant defensive team. Let’s play some smash mouth football like this team is capable of doing. No more playing back and waiting for things to happen to react. All the tools to do this are there but the game plan to do this is lacking.

On the offensive side of the ball fans saw the same game plan which was to send the running back right up the middle. Bengal fans again saw no play action, no power sweeps, no trap blocking, and hardly if any at all short passing plays done. I just wish you could at least get the coaches to try this to revive the running game. The Bengals have one of the highest paid offensive lines in the league and they are one of the most talented. Why not make use of that Jurassic Line and do some power sweeps and trap blocks? Let’s put this talent to good use! Just think what happens when two big 300 pound offensive lineman pull on a sweep at full blast and are leading the way for a running back. I will tell you again Vince Lombardi and the famous Green Bay Packers always had a lot of success with “Student Body Right”. How about some screen plays to Chris Perry?

Why not try something different like I have suggested to get this offense moving in the right direction? It would not hurt because as it stands now the same game plan certainly is not working. As far as the passing game is concerned, I always have believed that if the running game gets a rolling the passing game will take care of itself. I have always believed that you do not have to always hit the long ball. If you can consistently complete those short passes (4 to 5 yards) and the receivers can pick up more yardages after the catch it is just as good as hitting a long ball. I wish that the coaches played the “West Coast Offense”. The Bengal organization now has a very group of talented offensive players to do this now.

I understand your position on the players you let go and the salary cap. But, I think letting Willie Anderson go was a terrible mistake. Willie was one of the best offensive linemen in the league and he was an inspirational leader in the locker room. I must also respectfully say this to you, and I think I speak for many Bengal fans, at some point in time you are going to have to make coaching changes. I have not given up on the team after two games. But, look at the Bengals performance last year, the preseason, and the first two games of this year. Players still are not giving 150 percent each and every time they are on the field. Players are not executing. Players are not disciplined on and off the field. Players are not making the plays. Players lack consistency and are not consistently blocking and tackling. Running backs are consistently fumbling the ball in crucial games.

Mr. Brown, all of this starts first with coaching. It begins first with coaching the fundamentals of football. I firmly believe this team needs a new head coach and a new offensive coordinator. I am sure there are hundreds or thousands of Bengal fans out there that who will tell you the same. Many other Bengal fans are circulating a petition with several thousand signatures from fans calling for the firing or resignation of Marvin Lewis and the offensive coordinator. The Bengals offense has a lot of talent needed to be a consistent winner. But, they need a coach that can uplift them and who can put a consistent game plan each and every game to win. The Bengals need a coach who is willing to make changes from game to game and who can quickly adapt to changing events on the field during game time. I and many other fans of the Bengals respectfully must tell you this type coaching is not there now. It seems the offensive coordinator now runs the same predictable offensive game plan each and every game which has failed miserable the past two games and during last year.

The Bengals need a coach that can be innovative and who knows how to get the best of players each and every day at practice and in the games. They say innovation always distinguishes between a leader and follower. Further, I again want to give you this to think about:

“Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate”.

From fans perspective we have not seen this in Marvin Lewis and the offensive coordinator. It is a shame. You got all this talent on the offensive side of the ball and it is not being put to good use. The other day I watched the Pre-Game Show and Bill Cowher himself said the Bengals are one of the most talented teams in the league offensively.

I just hope if anything comes out of this letter you will consider making a coaching change very soon otherwise we Bengal fans feel losing in Cincy will be unavoidable and will continue. If a coaching change is made I would like to suggest for you to consider Bill Cowher. He still wants to coach and I believe he would just love to coach a team like the Bengals with all that offensive fire power. Coach Cowher never really had an explosive offense with the Steelers. He won by playing hard nosed football (smash mouth football and with a tenacious defense). This is needed in Cincinnati in order to get this team back to being a Super Bowl contender. If you ever have a goal to get to the Super Bowl then prove to us fans you are willing to make a coaching change.

[jdove28472]

I am not writing this season off yet. I am starting though to key in on the next year’s 2009 draft. Please fix the defense first. Focus in on drafting defensive players and bringing in players like a Ray Lewis, Albert Haynesworth, or a Julius Peppers. Fans always say you can tell when an organization is committed to win. A winning organization always is willing to get the players they need to be a consistent winner. Here are a couple of players I hope the Bengals will key in on during next year’s 2009 draft:

Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech, Defensive End
Height: 6-7. Weight: 247.
Projected 40 Time: 4.67.
Projected Round (2009): Top 5 Pick.

Michael Johnson is perhaps one of the best defensive ends that will come out of the 2009 draft. This guy should be at the top of the Bengals draft board. The Bengals desperately need help at the Defensive End.

Rey Maualuga, USC, Inside LB
Height: 6-3. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round (2009): Top 15 Pick.

Fili Moala, USC, Defensive tackle
Height: 6-4. Weight: 296.
Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
Projected Round (2009): Top 20 Pick.

Greg Hardy*, Ole Miss
Height: 6-5. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2009): Top 15 Pick.

Taylor Mays*, SS/FS, USC
Height: 6-4. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2009): Top 15 Pick.

Taylor Mays has blazing speed.

Al Woods*, LSU
Height: 6-5. Weight: 314.
Projected 40 Time: 5.12.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.

Al Woods is a monstrous nose tackle with great speed at his size, He will likely be the first defensive tackle taken in the 2009 Draft if he declares early.

I know you will agree with me that the Bengals need a center. The best one out there in my opinion that fits well with the Bengals is Max Unger:

Height: 6-5. Weight: 300.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.

They say he is an extremely athletic and smart center who can also play offensive tackle.

Other Centers:

Alex Mack, California
Height: 6-5. Weight: 316.
Projected 40 Time: 5.13.
Projected Round (2009): 1-2.

Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
Height: 6-4. Weight: 314.
Projected 40 Time: 5.21.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.

As a Bengals fan, I want to see this team get better. I also want to see this team when they get better to always strive harder to stay true to fans by getting better each and every day. You always got to have the commitment to excellence. Week three is now here and the Giants are up next. I am not optimistic at all because the Giants have one of the best defenses in the NFL. The short passing routes, screens, and play action to me is perhaps the best way to go with to beat the Giants. It sure would not hurt to also throw in a couple of student body rights. Why not? This team needs to start getting an attitude. Every fan likes the Bengals uniform. I would love to see the team at some point in time wear all black. Maybe this would give them an attitude.

I hope you will honestly take what I have suggested in my letter into serious consideration. Please also consider thinking about making a coaching change soon. The city of Cincy deserves to have a winning team and so do all Bengal fans. I must respectfully say to you many of the fans have lost all confidence in Marvin Lewis and the offensive coordinator. You may still have confidence. If the consistent losing continues when will you lose your confidence? The reality is at some point in time you are going to have to be willing to make a decision to make a coaching change. It is only you that can do that. Please consider Bill Cowher when the time confronts you. Thanks so much for taking the time to write me.

Sincerely,

Ken Dippel, A life long Bengal Fan

[dr1441]

Wow you need to find a hobby!

[BengalBlitz]

was there anything in there about a general manager or scouting department?

[Bengalitis]

wow! that was too long for me to read, I'll send it to my general manager to brief me on it.

[djam]

We will fail at everything we do. There is no hope, I look out the window and it's one shade of grey. All of the players want to leave. All of the coaches want to leave. They hate Cincinnati and they hate all of their fans. They don't care about anything except cashing their paychecks. They are not even professionals and should be working at McDonalds. Carson is not even a good QB. Chad is not a good WR, and neither is TJ. Mike Brown has a plan to put together a team that is 'almost' good, but not good enough. Only good enough to fill his pockets with money from tickets and gear. It doesnt matter how much money he would make if we did win, all that matters is keeping him just 'rich enough' to afford his Lumina insurance. He hates his father and wants to let him down. He actually knows how to be a good owner, he just wont because he is the Bengals owner and he makes money off us and that's all that matters. We're doomed. It's gloomy and life stinks now. The only reason our players will even make plays is because they want to audition for another team.


I mean seriously, we are two games in and you have to look pretty hard to find a fan on here that even has a glimmer of hope. Let's keep it going peoples. This is one of the best fan bases in sports. Let's be proud of that. It is no fun when the team isn't winning, but we're still here. Drink up and have some hope. :p

[fearthesweatervest]

Dear Ken,

The stands are full. We are a success!

Sincerely,

Mike Brown

[jdove28472]

You got your opinion about Mike Brown totally wrong. Here is the response I got:

Please accept my acknowledgment of your displeasure with our poor opening
game.Any Bengals fan would be justified in rapping us for our performance. We have to
show improvement both significantly and quickly. I know I cannot convince you by letter
that it will happen, so I'll ask only that you grant that things can change very quickly in
the NFL. Please don't write us off with 15 games to go.

I do still have the utmost confidence in our coaching staff, but they also, I know,
must prove it to you with a better team performance.Regarding your comments on the departure of Rudi Johnson and WillieAnderson, I hope you will consider that money was not the issue. Under the NFL's salary cap, all teams operate with the same salary ceiling, and we are at or near the ceiling every year. The issue in today's NFL is not so much what you spend, but rather on whom you choose to spend it. In the case of these three players, it was our judgment that their abilities had diminished to the point where it would have hurt our team to allocate the percentage of salary cap that their contracts would have required.

I hope my response is at least partially satisfactory to you. I thank you for your
longtime support, even though you live some distance away, and I hope that with a
good performance record both on and off the field, we can maintain it.

Sincerely,
Mike Brown

[djam]

Originally Posted by jdove28472

You got your opinion about Mike Brown totally wrong. Here is the response I got:

Please accept my acknowledgment of your displeasure with our poor opening
game.Any Bengals fan would be justified in rapping us for our performance. We have to
show improvement both significantly and quickly. I know I cannot convince you by letter
that it will happen, so I'll ask only that you grant that things can change very quickly in
the NFL. Please don't write us off with 15 games to go.

I do still have the utmost confidence in our coaching staff, but they also, I know,
must prove it to you with a better team performance.Regarding your comments on the departure of Rudi Johnson and WillieAnderson, I hope you will consider that money was not the issue. Under the NFL's salary cap, all teams operate with the same salary ceiling, and we are at or near the ceiling every year. The issue in today's NFL is not so much what you spend, but rather on whom you choose to spend it. In the case of these three players, it was our judgment that their abilities had diminished to the point where it would have hurt our team to allocate the percentage of salary cap that their contracts would have required.

I hope my response is at least partially satisfactory to you. I thank you for your
longtime support, even though you live some distance away, and I hope that with a
good performance record both on and off the field, we can maintain it.

Sincerely,
Mike Brown

I was wondering if you were going to post the response.

[Housh]

Originally Posted by jdove28472

You got your opinion about Mike Brown totally wrong. Here is the response I got:

Please accept my acknowledgment of your displeasure with our poor opening
game.Any Bengals fan would be justified in rapping us for our performance. We have to
show improvement both significantly and quickly. I know I cannot convince you by letter
that it will happen, so I'll ask only that you grant that things can change very quickly in
the NFL. Please don't write us off with 15 games to go.

I do still have the utmost confidence in our coaching staff, but they also, I know,
must prove it to you with a better team performance.Regarding your comments on the departure of Rudi Johnson and WillieAnderson, I hope you will consider that money was not the issue. Under the NFL's salary cap, all teams operate with the same salary ceiling, and we are at or near the ceiling every year. The issue in today's NFL is not so much what you spend, but rather on whom you choose to spend it. In the case of these three players, it was our judgment that their abilities had diminished to the point where it would have hurt our team to allocate the percentage of salary cap that their contracts would have required.

I hope my response is at least partially satisfactory to you. I thank you for your
longtime support, even though you live some distance away, and I hope that with a
good performance record both on and off the field, we can maintain it.

Sincerely,
Mike Brown

well now im not mad at MB.iv come to the conclusion that he just sux.he has no alterior motives on makin money over having a good team.the fact is hes just horrible at management.and in all good conscienceness i cant mad at him for that.


thats like bein mad at a baby cause it cant talk

[JungleJay_74]

Originally Posted by Housh

well now im not mad at MB.iv come to the conclusion that he just sux.he has no alterior motives on makin money over having a good team.the fact is hes just horrible at management.and in all good conscienceness i cant mad at him for that.


thats like bein mad at a baby cause it cant talk

Whoa, there. Not so fast.

Mike does seem to be more conserned about money than putting out a quality team. As you said, he sux, yet he still refuses to employ a competent GM to make decisions or a scouting dept., for starters, knowing full well that he sux.

Why didn't MB address those issues in his reply?

[a6pk2go]

Originally Posted by JungleJay_74

Whoa, there. Not so fast.

Mike does seem to be more conserned about money than putting out a quality team. As you said, he sux, yet he still refuses to employ a competent GM or a scouting dept., for starters, knowing full well that he sux.

Why didn't MB adress those issues in his reply?

I think maybe he was responding to him on a big pile of money and roll off before he got to that part.

[Who2Dey]

Dear Ken,

Do I smell a penny in your pocket?

Sincerly, Mike Brown.

[Slappy from New Haven]

Originally Posted by Who2Dey

Dear Ken,

Do I smell a penny in your pocket?

Sincerly, Mike Brown.

Dear Ken.

I am a little confused as to why you would send a fax to me when we have the internets now. Attached is the bill for the fax paper you used up when it is clear ias waiting on an offer to go to Cancun for the weekend for $99.00. If you would like I will forgo the bill if you would like to perhaps purchase a #1 foam finger or a Johnson jersey...Landon or Chad..which ever you prefer. I think you will find they are exeptional value to sweeten the offer and because you are a fan and belive me I can tell you are not on the so called "bandwagon" I will throw in a Big Willie Jersey free of charge, not including shipping and handling.

Please let me know asap as an organization thats has your best interest in mind, we need to make sure the accounting fiscally is top notch.

Regards, your pal

Mikey

[bengalfan01]

Please Mike Brown turn over the controls to someone who knows how to win. After 18 years it's obvious -- to anyone with a first grade education ( or less ) -- that you don't. Haven't you made the LOYAL fans of Cincinnati suffer long enough? How long do we have to wait for a winner? Isn't your ego less important than the collective feelings of a CITY who ADORES this team?

Do the right thing, Mr. Brown, and step down from direct involvement in team operations. You can still be a figurehead. My dad used to say, " If you don't know how to build a bridge yourself, hire a bridgebuilder." Mr. Brown, the bridge has collapsed for the 13th time in 18 seasons. It's time to hire a General Manager and let the football people HAVE the team. Start running it like an NFL franchise SHOULD be run.

Please Mr. Brown, for the fans. We need you to get out of the way.

[Fulcherweneedyou]

Originally Posted by bengalfan01

Please Mike Brown turn over the controls to someone who knows how to win. After 18 years it's obvious -- to anyone with a first grade education ( or less ) -- that you don't. Haven't you made the LOYAL fans of Cincinnati suffer long enough? How long do we have to wait for a winner? Isn't your ego less important than the collective feelings of a CITY who ADORES this team?

Do the right thing, Mr. Brown, and step down from direct involvement in team operations. You can still be a figurehead. My dad used to say, " If you don't know how to build a bridge yourself, hire a bridgebuilder." Mr. Brown, the bridge has collapsed for the 13th time in 18 seasons. It's time to hire a General Manager and let the football people HAVE the team. Start running it like an NFL franchise SHOULD be run.

Please Mr. Brown, for the fans. We need you to get out of the way.

There is about as much chance of this happening as us winning a game this year

[bengalfan01]

Originally Posted by Fulcherweneedyou

There is about as much chance of this happening as us winning a game this year

I just thought I'd ask...

[JustMike]

[tgmaino]

Originally Posted by justmike

awesome

[rick c]

As WDR readers know, Mike Brown was able to swindle one of the biggest sweetheart stadium deals in the NFL from Hamilton County (Bob Bedinghaus, the biggest Brown Cheerleader while a Hamilton County Commissioner is now the Director of Business Development for the Bengals...make your own conclusions). Read this old Enquirer article for a great breakdown and previous WDR posts for more details, but the biggest point is that Hamilton County Taxpayers are on the hook through 2027 for almost $800 million in YOUR taxpayer money.

Our taxpayer money has been going right into Mike Brown's pocket and not translating into performance on the field since this bogus stadium deal was signed. But here is a new development - Hamilton County had to cut funding to the Cincinnati Public Schools to cover the costs of the stadium.

See if you can stick with me here. This 2008 Hamilton County Budget in Brief (page 21) explains that the County had budgeted to pay for the stadium with a 1/2 cent sales tax increase, with annual sales tax growth of 3% per year. The problem? The sales tax growth from 2000 to 2007 has only been 1.38%. So the County had to figure out where to find the money to be able to pay for the stadium and its upkeep costs.

Their County filled the budget gap 2 ways.

1. "Restructuring" payments to the Cincinnati Public Schools, saving $39.5M. Basically the County deferred payments to the schools from 2006-2009. So that is almost $40 million that the schools could have used that instead had to be used to cover the deficit created by stadium funds. Cincinnati's detoriating public schools are being deprived of funding because of Mike Brown's sweetheart stadium deal.

2. Refunding bonds at lower interest rates, saving $26.5M. Refunded bonds are previously issued bonds that are reissued as new bonds with a lower interest rate. So Hamilton County took advantage of a lower interest rate and issued new bonds that would allow the county to pay back the first round of bonds on their first call date and would thus raise capital on top of the intial bonds, but with a lower interest rate to repay investors.

But, despite stealing money from children and reissuing bonds, the report concludes that "Given current predictions at 1-2% annual sales tax growth, an overall fund deficit is projected in 2013." So all the county has done is keep the stadium and public improvement fund solvent for a few more years while Mike Brown is taking your taxpayer money and putting ANOTHER pathetic team on the field.


So Mike Brown gets free money from the NFL in revnue sharing, free money from Hamilton County taxpayers, 100% of the revenues from concession, merchandise, luxury box, advertising and parking sales - making the team the 21st most valued NFL franchise, and Mike Brown STILL can't put a winner on the field.

On behalf of all Hamilton County taxpayers and Cincinnati Public School parents, teachers and students, Mike Brown - thanks for stealing our money!



This is an article from another site that is relevant to the general state of this team

[DaytonBengalBuck]

Originally Posted by rick c

As WDR readers know, Mike Brown was able to swindle one of the biggest sweetheart stadium deals in the NFL from Hamilton County (Bob Bedinghaus, the biggest Brown Cheerleader while a Hamilton County Commissioner is now the Director of Business Development for the Bengals...make your own conclusions). Read this old Enquirer article for a great breakdown and previous WDR posts for more details, but the biggest point is that Hamilton County Taxpayers are on the hook through 2027 for almost $800 million in YOUR taxpayer money.

Our taxpayer money has been going right into Mike Brown's pocket and not translating into performance on the field since this bogus stadium deal was signed. But here is a new development - Hamilton County had to cut funding to the Cincinnati Public Schools to cover the costs of the stadium.

See if you can stick with me here. This 2008 Hamilton County Budget in Brief (page 21) explains that the County had budgeted to pay for the stadium with a 1/2 cent sales tax increase, with annual sales tax growth of 3% per year. The problem? The sales tax growth from 2000 to 2007 has only been 1.38%. So the County had to figure out where to find the money to be able to pay for the stadium and its upkeep costs.

Their County filled the budget gap 2 ways.

1. "Restructuring" payments to the Cincinnati Public Schools, saving $39.5M. Basically the County deferred payments to the schools from 2006-2009. So that is almost $40 million that the schools could have used that instead had to be used to cover the deficit created by stadium funds. Cincinnati's detoriating public schools are being deprived of funding because of Mike Brown's sweetheart stadium deal.

2. Refunding bonds at lower interest rates, saving $26.5M. Refunded bonds are previously issued bonds that are reissued as new bonds with a lower interest rate. So Hamilton County took advantage of a lower interest rate and issued new bonds that would allow the county to pay back the first round of bonds on their first call date and would thus raise capital on top of the intial bonds, but with a lower interest rate to repay investors.

But, despite stealing money from children and reissuing bonds, the report concludes that "Given current predictions at 1-2% annual sales tax growth, an overall fund deficit is projected in 2013." So all the county has done is keep the stadium and public improvement fund solvent for a few more years while Mike Brown is taking your taxpayer money and putting ANOTHER pathetic team on the field.


So Mike Brown gets free money from the NFL in revnue sharing, free money from Hamilton County taxpayers, 100% of the revenues from concession, merchandise, luxury box, advertising and parking sales - making the team the 21st most valued NFL franchise, and Mike Brown STILL can't put a winner on the field.

On behalf of all Hamilton County taxpayers and Cincinnati Public School parents, teachers and students, Mike Brown - thanks for stealing our money!

um wait I thought you were done being a Bengal fan, why are you still here?

[BengalBarry]

why hasn't this post been deleted yet? :(

[Who2Dey]

Originally Posted by bengalbarry

why hasn't this post been deleted yet? :(

who dey, who dey, who dey think gonnna beat dem bengals barry? Noooooobody!

[The Bengal Thing]

Originally Posted by BengalBarry

why hasn't this post been deleted yet? :(

It is going to be a LONG couple of days for the mods/admins.......

[tgmaino]

Originally Posted by rick c

As WDR readers know, Mike Brown was able to swindle one of the biggest sweetheart stadium deals in the NFL from Hamilton County (Bob Bedinghaus, the biggest Brown Cheerleader while a Hamilton County Commissioner is now the Director of Business Development for the Bengals...make your own conclusions). Read this old Enquirer article for a great breakdown and previous WDR posts for more details, but the biggest point is that Hamilton County Taxpayers are on the hook through 2027 for almost $800 million in YOUR taxpayer money.

Our taxpayer money has been going right into Mike Brown's pocket and not translating into performance on the field since this bogus stadium deal was signed. But here is a new development - Hamilton County had to cut funding to the Cincinnati Public Schools to cover the costs of the stadium.

See if you can stick with me here. This 2008 Hamilton County Budget in Brief (page 21) explains that the County had budgeted to pay for the stadium with a 1/2 cent sales tax increase, with annual sales tax growth of 3% per year. The problem? The sales tax growth from 2000 to 2007 has only been 1.38%. So the County had to figure out where to find the money to be able to pay for the stadium and its upkeep costs.

Their County filled the budget gap 2 ways.

1. "Restructuring" payments to the Cincinnati Public Schools, saving $39.5M. Basically the County deferred payments to the schools from 2006-2009. So that is almost $40 million that the schools could have used that instead had to be used to cover the deficit created by stadium funds. Cincinnati's detoriating public schools are being deprived of funding because of Mike Brown's sweetheart stadium deal.

2. Refunding bonds at lower interest rates, saving $26.5M. Refunded bonds are previously issued bonds that are reissued as new bonds with a lower interest rate. So Hamilton County took advantage of a lower interest rate and issued new bonds that would allow the county to pay back the first round of bonds on their first call date and would thus raise capital on top of the intial bonds, but with a lower interest rate to repay investors.

But, despite stealing money from children and reissuing bonds, the report concludes that "Given current predictions at 1-2% annual sales tax growth, an overall fund deficit is projected in 2013." So all the county has done is keep the stadium and public improvement fund solvent for a few more years while Mike Brown is taking your taxpayer money and putting ANOTHER pathetic team on the field.


So Mike Brown gets free money from the NFL in revnue sharing, free money from Hamilton County taxpayers, 100% of the revenues from concession, merchandise, luxury box, advertising and parking sales - making the team the 21st most valued NFL franchise, and Mike Brown STILL can't put a winner on the field.

On behalf of all Hamilton County taxpayers and Cincinnati Public School parents, teachers and students, Mike Brown - thanks for stealing our money!



This is an article from another site that is relevant to the general state of this team

Thank You