While an appearance on this year’s Hard Knocks series has increased the profile of the Cincinnati Bengals beyond the borders of Ohio and Kentucky, not enough locals are sufficiently enamored with the franchise following a 4-11-1 finish to permit their preseason home opener to be broadcast live on television.
It’s enough to make a non-Spanish wideout with a Spanish name say, “Nino, por favor.”
Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Thursday night’s game against the Rams won’t be televised locally, because it hasn’t been sold out.
Per Reedy, the game will be shown on a tape-delayed basis at 11:35 p.m. local time in Cincinnati and Dayton. Fans in the Queen City who hope to see it live but who are too cheap to buy a ticket can drive to Columbus or Louisville.
We’ll be monitoring Ochocinco’s Twitter page for a reaction to the news.