I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992.
I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble.
I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
The most exciting wins the Cincinnati Bengals have had in decades went unseen by all but the relative handfull of fans in the 75-mile radius of Cincinnati.
The majority of followers of the NFL's least successful franchise in terms of on-field performance missed the action. They had to settle for the Cleveland Browns game instead.
The irony is the Browns have a decent following in the Queen City. Those fans that never switched allegiance from the team by the lake are just as happy that the Bengals stubborn owner won't voluntarily lift the blackout of home games for the sake of 15% of the empty seats that were left unsold.
Before the Bengals played its first season in 1968, families in Cincinnati gathered around the TV and watched the Cleveland Browns. Television built such a following that even bringing an NFL franchise to Cincinnati could not shake the loyalty of many Cincinnati football fans. There are still, 44 years later, Browns fans all over Cincinnati
The community made a $400 million investment propping up a franchise that gives nothing back to the community.
Mike Brown, the largest welfare recipient in the state of Ohio, not only fails to give back to the community, he misses a golden opportunity to build his team's following. His shortsightedness is leading to the shrinking of the team's loyal fan base.
Television made the NFL. The lack of televison will destroy it. The group of capitalists that act like socialists prop up poorly run organizations, like the Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. Those two franchises are famous for pocketing the revenue shared by the league instead of investing in the players required for improved play.
The NFL has relaxed the requirements for ticket sales that trigger a local blackout. Hosting ownership now has the option to lift the blackout. Brown's failure to do so erodes the loyalty that ensure future ticket sales. To say it is shortsighted is an understatement.
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