Let's see if we understand this one.
The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the hottest teams in the league, perched atop the AFC North at 4-1, despite the presence of the Ravens and Steelers.
After winning two hard-fought road games, the Bengals return home for a game against the Texans.
And they might not sell out Paul Brown Stadium.
The team has sent out via e-mail an announcement that a local blackout is looming, absent a "significant increase" in the pace of ticket sales.
The Bengals have sold out 46 straight regular-season and postseason games. The last regular-season non-sellout came in 2003 -- also against the Texans.
Despite fears of widespread blackouts this year, only five percent of the games (four of 76) were not sold out.
4-1 Bengals facing a blackout
Posted by Mike Florio on October 13, 2009 10:27 AM ET
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57 Comments 
Latest stories in: Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
Least this week you are starting your blackout rumors before the league makes their announcement.
Lord Florio, you are living proof that even that stupid can be taught.....
Yous day it every week and I dont think they have blacked out yet
But they are better then the 5-0 Broncos. Makes complete sense.
That's easy to explain. The reason is Mike Brown. The worst owner in all of sports.
Not surprising. Cincy has the biggest bandwagon fans next to the Deadskins. I'm glad Cincy has gotten off to a good start. But I need to remind their small dooshie fanbase that they are also a few plays away from the standard 0-5. The reality of the situation is that the Bungles can't beat the Steelers when it counts....never could, and never will. Those are the stone-cold facts, and come January, this is how it will play out. Bungles fans know it, too.
Living in cincinnati this is no surprise to me at all, there are so many fairweather, bandwagon bungles fans it's hilarious. I'm sure Krogers will end up buying the tickets again or some other large local company to try and get the game on television around here. That's what they had to do for the opening game against Denver. This is also why it takes so long for the franchise to do anything because why would Mike Brown put out all that money to bring in big names and spend more money out of his own pocket when the "fans" aren't buying tickets when they start doing well? it won't take long for their season to do a complete 180.....just watch, another year they'll miss the playoffs. And if ya can't tell already, I'm not a bengals fan.
Gosh umemployment about 10% in the Cincinnati area and people aren't rushing out to buy football tickets? What's the world coming to?
You jumped the gun on this article. It's Tuesday morning. This game will 100% sell out.
It's Mike Brown, marketing retard. I'm surprised that Cincy knows that it even has a team.
Two things:
One: Despite what the TV news says, this depression ain't over, people are hurting...these stadiums need to lower ticket prices and prices at concession stands.
Two: Cini fans don't believe the team will sustain the wins. Only a matter of time before their season is over...again.
What's to understand? Oh, that's right, Florio. You being a successful web entrepreneur don't realize that wins do not put money back in people's pockets. The economy is crap, the common man is hurting and he chooses to fill his gas tank and feed his family instead of buying tickets.
LOS ANGELES BENGALS
Oh, I thought Jacksonville was the only team with blackout problems. My bad.
That's probably b/c although all of us fans are ecstatic that the Bengals are winning, we still realize our ownership is completely inept to anything related to football. Mike Brown is the 2nd worst owner in all of professional sports with the worst winning record in all of professional sports since he has been owner. None of us want to put more money into this man's pocket and make him think he's doing something right. The only reason we are winning this year is b/c our coaching staff is making something out of nothing. We have a bunch of reject players who are being very well coached (except our ridiculously stupid Offensive Coordinator) and Mike Brown gets all the credit. The only time our Offense does anything good is when they go into hurry up and let Carson do the decision making. You see we are basically non-productive early in the game and then when the game is on the line and we have to go into hurry-up offense (that's when Carson has the reins), we then become productive. Notice a trend? So yeah, we are all extremely excited about our winning record, but we are still boycotting our terrible ownership and making him realize he still needs to hire a GM and stop fooling himself thinking he's doing a fine job at GM when he's not.
When are you guys gonna realize that the NFL will say anything and everything they need to say in order to sell as many tickets to the general public as possible??
You really think that the game with the team that has looked like the only 5-0 (or atleast they should be) team that has played anyone of signifigance be blacked out???
I know its tuesday and practices just arent that much fun to write about but the only reason your "connect" from the NFL or the Bengals has told you that is to gain free advertising space in the hopes that they sell every ticket that they can.
So Bravo Florio... way to not let the machine run you.
Come on, Cincy, y'all finally got a halfway decent team there -- after all these years of being called the "Bungles".
Go get yer tickets and go to the stinkin' game!
It's a wonder it took this long. Mike Brown has been robbing Bengals fans for so long, so many ticket holders just moved on. The Bengals are winning, but haven't exactly looked good doing it. They are 4-1 and could easily be 5-0 or 0-5. They have a long snapper that has botched eight snaps in five games and the vision of our kicker and holder running down errant snaps has become a fixture on local Sunday evening "highlight" shows. Still, he remains on the team. A ten year veteran long snapper gets the yips and the Bengals decide to ride him out. Why?? Because nobody else on the planet can snap the ball? The Bengals are winning in spite of themselves. That's why nobody wants to give up a full Sunday to torture themselves with the buffoonery. Bengals fans love the winning, but we're waiting for the other snap to drop.
So we're fairweather fans yet our stadium isn't sold out even though we're 4-1? You guys make no damn sense. If we were fairweather fans, don't you think our stadium would have no issue selling out? Think about what you're saying before you speak girls. They had to be some Baltimore or Shittsburgh fans hating on us since we beat them. I already gave one of the reasons our stadium isn't selling out. The other reason has already been stated. The economy is still in shambles and Cincinnati is doing no better than most cities as far as unemployment. So I'm sure that has bearing on the situation. People that comment on here are complete dumb a$$es. Most fans in Cincy are very happy that we're playing good but we do also realize that this could very well be a fluke season just like we had in '05. We do still have Mike Brown as an owner and Bob Bratkowski as an offensive coordinator. So we still see reality that this may very well just be flat out luck. Although our D is playing very solid.
@Katmandu: The "Deadskins" have the longest string of consecutive sellouts in the history of the NFL. That hardly qualifies us as "Bandwagon Fans".
At the moment there are about 7000 tickets available.
As one of the many former season ticket holders who have dropped seats the past 2 years some blame goes to the economy.
Most blame goes directly to the front office, actually the lack of a front office other than members of The Family.
Viva La Revolution
And NFL Redzone which will show the game highlights live in HD while I enjoy beers that did not cost $7 each.
Thanks Mikey from a former 3 decade customer.
It's so nice to know the Pittsburgh Steelers will never have such problems. Even when they suck (which isn't often) they still draw the fans. Even in economic hard times (brought on by the Bush Administration and Republican deregulation/favor-the-rich policies), the Steelers faithful come through:)
It's not always easy being number one. Everyone is gunning for you. But, the Steelers will eventually take out the Bungles, in due time.
It's the economy stupid
The football gods will not look kindly upon this. The gods of injuries, turnovers, and funny bounces often use events like these to turn promising 4-1 seasons into 7-9 laughers.
London Bengals
C'mon...support your team. Don't worry about your other expenses
"Not surprising. Cincy has the biggest bandwagon fans next to the Deadskins. I'm glad Cincy has gotten off to a good start. But I need to remind their small dooshie fanbase that they are also a few plays away from the standard 0-5. The reality of the situation is that the Bungles can't beat the Steelers when it counts....never could, and never will. Those are the stone-cold facts, and come January, this is how it will play out. Bungles fans know it, too."
Are you kidding me? The biggest "bandwagon" fans??? The Steelers own this title.
Small dooshie fanbase? Better than a big dooshie fanbase, a la the Steelers.
Can't beat the Steelers when it counts? Perhaps we'll have Tank Johnson take out Roethlisberger's knee after completing a 60 yard bomb on his first pass of the game.
Wait, Bengals fans get made fun of for supporting a team that sucks. 19 years sucks. One good year, out of 19. Now, they have a few good games, and we get made fun of for not supporting our team.
"Gee, Cincinnati fans are so dumb for supporting a shitty team"
Now, we make somewhat of a stand, on 19 years of shittyness, but now get told we are dumb for not supporting a team that everyone else thinks is a flash in the pan anyway.
Most people I talk to are supportive, but wary. We aren't waiting for other shoe to drop, we are waiting for them to trip over it.
I will support the Bengals no matter what, and would love to go to a game, but I will not put a penny in Mike Brown's pocket, or else it reinforces the notion that the past 19 years were acceptable simply because we are lucky enough to be 4-1. We could be luckier and be 5-0, but we could also have lost some of those games.
Whether or not we sell out the game, it does not dim our support of the players and coaches, even though shortsighted fans of other teams will see it that way, but is the only way we have of sending a message to Mike Brown that his way of running his ship is unacceptable. I hope they win, but they need to sustain winning to get full support back. Or get Mikey to sell the team.
You can polish a turd but it is still a turd.
thank the economy.
we all had our wages decreased or lost jobs, yet ticket prices stayed the same or went up. Until owners "wake up" and realize that the rest of us are hurting, i hope all games get blacked out. why should the owners get richer of the poor? screw them, i'll watch online or through other sources for free.
Miami was a sellout last night???? There were a lot of people dressed as seats! Must be an early halloween in SFLA.
The blackout rules are a joke. Teams can get around them too easily - either the owner or a business vows to "buy" the remaining seats OR they designate the seats in the upper deck as "premium" seats to bypass the rules (see Jerry's Death Star).
I was just told yesterday from some Bengals fans on this site not to generalize their audience and that they are not fairweather fans, but a small diehard group. Well if the group is too small to fill a stadium when good, then they are right fairweather fan is the wrong term. Because fairweather fans would be filling the stadium right now. they are just bad fans (or just few fans as the case may be). And don't give me the economy crap. Until Buffalo and Cleveland have empty staduims no one can use the hard time excuse for their city.
There will still be many FANS at the game. Those that blame ownership etc. can stay at home and crab because the "other guy" didn't buy a ticket and he can't watch it for free. For those who just can't afford it--I feel your pain--for the rest--just start waxing up that bandwagon you will all be jumping on soon.
It's not that Cincy doesn't support their team, it's just that there's another Hee-Haw marathon on CRTV this weekend.
Alfie:
You're part of the 1% of retards on here. For the millionth time, teams don't move b/c of blackouts and ticket sells. Do some homework. By the way there's 7-8 teams with blackout problems.
Here's one for you, why don't we just move the Chargers, Jaguars, Bengals, Raiders, Dolphins, Bucs, Cardinals and Rams to Los Angeles. There problem solved.
First, the Bengals have sold out 46 straight home games going back to 2003 and have made season with a winning record in that span. So you idiots saying that Cincy has bandwagon fans are just wrong.
Second, there is absolutely no way that this game will not sellout. Next weeks' game is already sold out.
kaos2288, that was just painful.
The economy is still crap.
The only way you can buy tickets that will count towards the sell-out is to either call the Bengals ticket office or go to PBS.
Any tickets bought over the internet are resell tickets. I haven't seen this little bit of news reported anywhere!!
no 16ozbud, Bengals fans love Whining. Not buying tickets because of money is fine, buying them because you think they might not actually be as good as their record is called pathetic. That makes you a fair weather fan.
Seeing a lot of (keyboard) gum bumping about the fan base here from people whose little names I've never seen before.
1. Yes, pricks, it's a long season, but beofre we're a "few plays" from being 0-5, we're 1 FREAK play from being 5-0, and that team is 5-0, so STFU #1
2. 46 straight sellouts tells me that the fanbase here is ANYTHING BUT fairweather, but nice try STFU #2
3. Alfie, Jacksonville is not the only team with sellout problems, SD too, and they've had a far better track record than the Bengals of late, but again 46 straight.
4. This team is legit, so all the haters can bump their gums as much as they please, but don't be surprised if you see our name in the spotlight for the rest of the year.
I have asked for a legitimate, intelligent explanation for the continued bashing and have received no responses. So I ask, what about this TEAM (as in players and coaches) is not to like? Name it (besides Brad St. Louis). I'll check back, let's hear it Katmandu, any more yesterdays news hate to spew? What a douche......
I laugh at all of those calling Bengals fans bandwagon or fairweather. All of the fans left have endured 19 of the worst years any pro-sports franchise has ever had to witness.
Almost no other team in any sport even comes close to knowing how inept the Bengals are, and to hear that we're bandwagoners?
Want to talk about bandwagon fans? Look at all of the teams with recent success and huge increases in their fanbases (most obvious would be the Pats). Heck, put Pittsburg, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Washington, or any other 'major' team through the 2 decades that Bengals fans have been through and I doubt they would have as many loyalists.
No, the Bengals fans aren't bandwagoners, if they were there wouldn't be any of them... not for at least another year or two.
Mike Brown is not the worst owner in "all of sports" - pull your head out of the sand. He's cheap, but the majority of most professional sport's owners are exactly that, cheap!
Al Davis ring a bell? How 'bout James Dolan (NYK) or Donald Sterling (LAC)? David Glass (KC Royals) or Peter Angelos (Bal. Orioles)?
I'm just saying, Mike Brown is not the worst out there.
SteelTown_6 says:
October 13, 2009 11:57 AM
It's not that Cincy doesn't support their team, it's just that there's another Hee-Haw marathon on CRTV this weekend.
This coming from a pittsburgh fan, and what's CRTV? Your town's bully station? Leave it to a burgh fan, can't STFU even after they LOSE!!!! Sad Sad Sad.
copes cabana says:
October 13, 2009 11:45 AM
I was just told yesterday from some Bengals fans on this site not to generalize their audience and that they are not fairweather fans, but a small diehard group. Well if the group is too small to fill a stadium when good, then they are right fairweather fan is the wrong term. Because fairweather fans would be filling the stadium right now. they are just bad fans (or just few fans as the case may be). And don't give me the economy crap. Until Buffalo and Cleveland have empty staduims no one can use the hard time excuse for their city.
More uneducated bullshit from Cope: Dude, 46 straight sellouts, do you have that short a memory? lay off the green, duuuuude. And who is it that you root for again?
So many Pisstburg Haters.....crybabys LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We will see where we are at the end...
46 straight sellouts means we dont have bandwagon fans....Im a 30 yr supporter and Im only 35......Just worry about your fan base and WINNING IT ALL this year...DOnt get mad at us cause we shut your run offense down in the 2nd half
Thats because Cincy is a baseball town sprinkled in with a bunch of fair weathered football fans.
Cincy is a joke, this isnt a surprise.
RBT. Staduim was still sold out in the 80s. over 300 consecutive sellouts. (46 ha weak)http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview08/columns/story?id=3530077 (granted I am relying on espn for that stat).
Get your facts straight before talking.
the game in Cincy will sell out, I just don't get blaming the economy when Cleveland can sell out. Put a good product on the field and get a passionate fan base involved. If you can't sell out find a city that will (LA?). that said, Cincy does not have that problem (I've tailgated there and their fans are actually pretty passionate and were a good time), but they should not allow former season ticket holders back in if others want the tickets.
I live just south of Cincinnati and have had to hear every detail of the Bengals since birth. I'm not even a fan of them I prefer a team that sucks worse in the Browns.
With that said I can't stand a lot of the Bengals fans. They come in all types. I know quite a few real die hard fans who are there through good and bad. Then there are the fairweather fans who only come out when they are doing well because when they suck these people are nowhere to be found. Then there are the people who aren't even fans. They are only there to party. They are the worst and they are easily spotted.
I always found it funny when I would go to the bars in 2005 when they had their fluke season and I would question someone about the bengals. I'd ask them to name a player besides carson palmer, chad johnson or tj Houshmandzadeh. They couldn't do it!
@Legend of Josh
I'm not sure if you've seen the umpteen million reviews on ALL professional sports owners but I think it happened over and over and over again that Mike Brown was the 2nd worst owner in ALL OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS. Al Davis being the worst. Stats, player transactions, staff transactions, etc were all taken into account on these reviews and he still came out almost directly on bottom. So you cannot tell me there is more than 1 other owner in all of sports that's worse than Mike Brown. Nice try though!
Wait did I just say something nice about Bengals fans. Must have had a brain fart. ha.
Yes milehiclown, they are better - and everyone knows the Donkeys record since it's been shoved down everyone's throat by every media outlet. Give it a rest already douchebag...go troll your own overrated teams website.
BD2, I'd have to say Pirates owner is worse as well. They care even less about winning.
many of you are saying that this is explained by Cincinnati's "band wagon fan base". This is not logical. If it was a bandwagon fan base, the tickets would be gobbled up by now. They are playing their best football since '05 and have beat the Steelers and Ravens in the last three weeks. There are other things at play here. Browns/Steelers fans are just so bitter when things aren't going their way.
The minute Mike Brown gives up ownership of the Bengals, they will become a consistent Super Bowl contender.
Steeler, Raven and Brown fans should thank their lucky stars for Mike Brown.
theroc5156,
not having a bad owner is not enough to be a regular contender. You will need to get a good owner. I think they are harder to come by these days in new ownership, because it is generally someone who football is not their main business and they see it as a business venture (translates to profits) not a football venture (translates to wins).
I also think that as good as a D coach as he was, Lewis is not a great head coach. He will have to go as well.
It's actually quite simple... people aint gots not loot Florio!
This is all based on last year's team and Mike Brown. People here love their team, but due to ownership, the recession, and the ownership (oh, and the ownership), we don't want to spend $100 a ticket.
Its very simple to explain. The unemployment rate here in Cincy is somewhere around 13%. Plus most of the fans that do have money, hate Mike Brown so much they would rather watch the game at home.
Shouldn't be a problem - Houston fans travel well.
If being a good fan means flocking like sheep just because of some good fortune, than I am not a good fan. I am an intelligent sports fan whose money is worth more than the ticket. As much as I appreciate the effort and character, and respect the players and coaches, I just am not convinced enough after this many years of mediocrity to tell Mike Brown that I am happy with the product they are putting on the field. Yet. I don't know when I will go to a game again, or buy a jersey, or even a bumper sticker. If you are easy enough to please that you would go so soon after being shafted for so long, that is your weakness, not mine. My loyalty is strong, but it is not cheap.
It will sell out, but if for some reason it doesn't, our local radio crew is excellent. I will sit on the back porch, have a Guinness and a Monte Cristo Media Noche, and enjoy my Bengals with Brad and Lapham.
I love all the Bengal haters coming together on PFT.com. We win our fans are band-wagon, if we lose we are the Bungals. Keep all the negative talk coming, it makes beating teams like the Steelers and Ravens sweeter. Please forget we lost on a FLUKE play to a UNDEFEATED DENVER TEAM, who just beat New England.
p.s. Ohio is a rough place to get work right now, the Bengals are a little glimmer of joy for a lot folks out here. You should probably focus your negative energy and time on your own team.
Love,
Cincy007