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Even though it is not stated by the Reds, I of course assume the Reds donate the "net" proceeds of Redfest to charity as I would assume the Bengals would as well (One never knows given Mikey's reputation). The point is the Bengals never came out and said this was a charitable event or that they would donate any excess money to charity until Doc pushed Berding in his interview the other day. Berding didn't even specify what charity it would benefit so it was obvious to me, Mikey had no intention doing anything but pocketing the money and changed his mind only when this became a public relations problem.
If I were your customer and the event was free, you would hear no complaints from me. If you charged me $100 per ticket and said the "net" proceeds would go to charity, you would not hear any complaints from me either. I would applaud you either way. However, you throw a party to promote yourself or to extend a goodwill gesture of appreciation to me for being your customer and ask me pony up and cover your costs of throwing the party, my response is "fuck you!".
Bengals Respond to Pep Rally Post
As posted yesterday on Cincinnati.com, the Bengals responded to the WDR post around charging Season Ticket Holder's to attend the team pep rally on July 26th. Part of the comments from the team included explanation for the $10 charge - which apparently helps defray the costs of a local band, fi...
The Truth, you do realize the differences between the two?
1) Redsfest is open to the general public not just season ticket holders who paid good money for their seats.
2) Proceeds from Redsfest benefit the baseball-themed outreach programs of the Reds Community Fund.
All the Bengals had to do was announce at the beginning that the admission price was going to charity and I doubt we would be having this debate.
Bengals Respond to Pep Rally Post
As posted yesterday on Cincinnati.com, the Bengals responded to the WDR post around charging Season Ticket Holder's to attend the team pep rally on July 26th. Part of the comments from the team included explanation for the $10 charge - which apparently helps defray the costs of a local band, fi...
I have to agree with WDR on this point. This is supposed to be a goodwill gesture by the Bengals to their customers not a money making (or cost deferment) event. I run a small business and have numerous clients. If I entertain them or sponsor an event to build goodwill, there is no way in hell I even think about charging them to attend. The cost is on me as way to show my appreciation for their past and hopefully future business.
I will give the Bengals credit for trying something different and reaching out to their fans but charging them (even a minimal amount) just adds to the "cheap" and fan unfriendly reputation of this organization.
Bengals Respond to Pep Rally Post
As posted yesterday on Cincinnati.com, the Bengals responded to the WDR post around charging Season Ticket Holder's to attend the team pep rally on July 26th. Part of the comments from the team included explanation for the $10 charge - which apparently helps defray the costs of a local band, fi...
If this doesn't make you want to puke, nothing will.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/02/pfts-postseason-awards/
Mikey Boy, NFL executive of the year?
Open letter to Whitworth and Peko
Skimming Hob's articles last night looking for fodder and I came across this little bit. Whitworth pulled Peko aside in the locker room when word filtered through that the Chiefs had lost. “I told him how proud I was,” Whitworth said. “We started this thing back in June putting OTAs together...
Typical Bungals. Stupid mistakes and bad calls.
Looks like they still might back into the playoffs.
Week 17 Battle Lines Are Drawn: Bengals v Ravens and Bengals Fans v Mike Brown
I'll give the Bengals this: 2011 has been one hell of a season. It's only fitting that the last week of the season promises to be a dramatic blow off top on a couple of levels. The first level is on the field, where the team needs to beat the holy-crap-when-will-it-end Ray Lewis era Ravens. I ...
The only good thing I can get from watching the game yesterday is that order seems to have been restored to the universe again. After watching the Bengals make some great plays, get some favorable calls and stay in the game, I thought for sure they were going to win. In the past, the Bengals, the officials or simply fate always would find a way to change that and cause them to lose. Marvin's decision not to kick the long field goal with 3 minutes remaining and the ensuing 4th down disaster was classic Bungalmania.
Northern Kentucky Man Wants Tebow
Amazing In my wildest dreams the guy from Independence looks like this just look you won't be disappointed Kentucky Waterfalls Yall So when Broncos fans start booing good old "Neck Beard" early will you be happy when Tebow gets the call or will you think we are watching another Favre type be...
34-3, the worst defeat in Bungals pre- season history against the Lions and you find positives? You shouldn't use crack and watch football reruns late at night, it clearly is making you delirious.
However, I must admit I didn't have the stomach to sit through and watch the entire debacle or I would have likely wanted to gouge my eyes out. You sir are courageous ( or insane) to watch it all the way through and again in slow motion.
What we learned
After watching the broadcast late last night, either from all the alcohol or lack of sleep, but there were actually some positives in that train wreck of a game. As I mentioned in the pre-game write up, there were several keys to pay attention to rather than focusing on the ensueing chaos that w...
Rookie QB, questionable O-line, new OC and new system. My prediction, the defense will have to score to make the Bungals "competitive", 3-13. The schedule may look easy but all those "easy" teams look at the Bengals on their schedule and are saying "easy win".
I think the only way for the Bengals to get to 95% of the salary cap, Mikey puts on a jersey and signs himself to a lucrative FA contract.
NFL is Back. But I Don't Even Know What To Think About the Bengals Anymore
A deal got done. It looks fair enough to me. And we don't miss any football. Holy shit it seems like negotiations actually worked out okay. And now we get free agency/training camp all crammed into a tiny window which makes shit really exciting. But the odds the Bengals generate any of that ...
Not that I want to trash Carson because I believe he's been a good QB for the Bengals over the years and with the right system could have been a great QB but everything Comrade Brosef is saying regarding his leadership skills (or lack thereof)is something that was known or should have been known when the Bengals drafted him.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/tracker/player?id=7035
Carson Palmer: Stepping Up or Backing Down?
As you might have been able to tell with the lack of posts, it is very hard to get excited about anything NFL. Ohhhh, the Bengals decided to rebuild their team through WR, which has worked so well in the past! It honestly gets tiring to continually have to try and rationalize the Bengals dec...
I too threw in the towel after the press conference. I've owned season tickets for a long time and had very good seats. My disgust with the organization relegated me to going to only a few games a year and selling what I could on the open market for which I usually made a nice profit. But after the press conference, I couldn't take it any more. Mikey will never change. I was one of the lucky few who could sell their PSL's and did. I stopped watching them play midway through the season last year and have no intention of watching them this year. That could change but it is going to take a lot to convince me that this organization deserves my money and support again.
I've talked to a number of others who have also given up their PSL's. In fact I don't personally know anyone who has actually renewed their tickets for the upcoming year. It'll be very interesting to see how many people actually attend games this year.
Hopefully this is the year Mikey finally "gets it."
Ramblings
Sorry for the light posting folks. With a seemingly never-ending flow of work overwhelming me at my undermanned firm and a two week trip to Australia starting Wednesday I haven't had any time to write at all. The last time I posted something substantial? Before the superbowl. That won't chan...
West TX, that letter is an obvious fraud. Mikey Boy would never use the words "Super Bowl Season." It's just not in his vocabulary.
Merchandise Sent Back to Bengals Across Atlantic Ocean
Dutifully fultilling Project Mayhem, #10 - Return to Sender, Matthew Gray sends us the below letter and above image of his letter to the Bengals renoucing his alligience to the Bengals until they make wholesale changes, along with the Bengals merchandise he returned. Matt and his father actua...
Regarding the scouting comment. Even if Mikey's stat were legit (which it's not), it's still 10th place. Who the fuck is happy with 10th place?
Is Mike Brown Clincially Insane? Our Favorite Moments of The Worst Press Conference in Modern History (Part 1)
Now wading waist deep in the aftermath of Tuesday's press conference, it's time for a recap of what exactly took place at 4:30pm in the bowels of Paul Brown Stadium. As I posted Tuesday afternoon, Marvin Lewis had decided not to return. I stand by that, as I also stand by my comment that the s...
While Marvin has done some fine things while serving under the tyranny of Mikey Boy, he is worn out, beaten down and now ineffective. I don't think it was wise to bring him back because I think new blood and energy is needed.
I hope I'm wrong but I believe we will see more of the same crap in 2011.
Off Topic But Enough With This Marvin Is the "Losingest" Coach Crap
I've seen it in a few places where people call Marvin the "losingest" head coach in Bengals history. He now also is, I'm told, the longest tenured head coach in Bengals history. Hence he's had the most opportunity to lose of all coaches. So you know what else? That means he'll also end up th...
Ickey's headband, that was the most brilliant piece of sarcasm I've ever read, bravo!
If there are any attorney's in the house, I have a question: Can season ticket holders sue Mikey over the fact that their seat licenses have become worthless due to his negligence? I would think he has a fiduciary responsibility to help maintain the value of those seat licenses. I've talked to several season ticket holders over the last day and none are going to renew. A couple are trying to sell their COA's but there is no market for them.
Press Conference Quick Thoughts
Allegedly my man Comrade Buck will have more later but you'll have to deal with a hastily slapped together jumble of thoughts from my whiskey and wing addled brain for now: We didn't learn anything from that press conference, not unexpected. By all means neither party as late as the afternoon t...
Holy shit Mike Brown actually blinked! I never thought that he would give in to Marvin's demands to make this team more professional.
It is going to be fun to read the fine print of the agreement.
Posted by: blesterov | January 04, 2011 at 05:48 PM
That really means Marvin and his staff have to wear a coat and tie everyday to work.
Not So Fast On Lewis Returning
WDR has learned from a source close to Marvin Lewis, that Marvin has decided he will NOT return to the Cincinnati Bengals. This source reveled that the negotiations between Marvin and Mike Brown did not result in a compromise, and Marvin has decided to move on. However, we all know these thing...
Same old Same old. Some player changes, maybe assistant coach change here or there. No changes in control of the organization. Mikey says change is coming but continues to ignore the fact that he is the root of the problem and won't change. No additional scouts. Blaming bad luck and injuries. No indoor practice facility.
WTF? I'm sick to my stomach listening to this crap.
Not So Fast On Lewis Returning
WDR has learned from a source close to Marvin Lewis, that Marvin has decided he will NOT return to the Cincinnati Bengals. This source reveled that the negotiations between Marvin and Mike Brown did not result in a compromise, and Marvin has decided to move on. However, we all know these thing...
Or this, I love the comment about "Mike Brown's bare-bones, throwback approach".
Today - 3:00 PM ET
Head coach Marvin Lewis' future with the Bengals is reportedly "in serious jeopardy" after talks broke off Tuesday afternoon.
The sides hoped to resolve their issues in two meetings Tuesday morning. Instead, Lewis left the Bengals complex, perhaps never to return. Contrary to previous reports, it's not believed that an indoor facility was a sticking point. The main issue remains owner Mike Brown's bare-bones, throwback approach to staffing and scouting.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Not So Fast On Lewis Returning
WDR has learned from a source close to Marvin Lewis, that Marvin has decided he will NOT return to the Cincinnati Bengals. This source reveled that the negotiations between Marvin and Mike Brown did not result in a compromise, and Marvin has decided to move on. However, we all know these thing...
Heard an interesting rumor. Bill Cowher was spotted in Cincinnati the other day. I know its a dream but could Mikey Boy actually be talking to Cowher? Is he finally coming to grips with the realization that he is incompetent?
Mike Brown Will Need to Make A Lot of Phone Calls
Getting to this a little late (as always), but saw this on Lance's blog last Monday: Mike Brown responds I got this email today from a disgruntled season ticket holder. Last week he wrote a letter to Mike Brown. Today he got a response from Brown. "Did not get a letter back....I got a phone cal...
I love the idea of shoving it back into Mikey Boy's face but I am terribly conflicted by returning merchandise in good condition to Mikey so that he can resell for a profit or donate it to a charity on his own where he can take the tax deduction. I would suggest irreparably defacing the property before sending it back.
Project Mayhem Task #10 - Return to Sender
Last week we published Comrade JM's letter where he ended his alligience with the Bengals until the team made some fundamental changes, and sent the team back his two remaining pieces of Bengals merchandise. We called it "The Nuclear Option," after an arcane legislative procedure in the US...
Excellent letter, I could feel the venom spewing through my computer.
My only concern about sending merchandise back the Mikey without getting cash in return is that he will take the opportunity to either resell it (cash for Mikey) or give it to charity and take the tax deduction for it (cash for Mikey).
I say donate the merchandise to charity and take the tax deduction (cash for you) or burn it and send Mikey a picture of it.
The Nuclear Option
Comrade JM sent us a copy of a letter he just sent to Mike Brown where he expresses his frustration with the team, its ownership and direction. It's a common tactic that a lot of outraged Bengals fans have taken, WDR included. But what makes JM's letter so special is not necessarily his flowin...
wch, you shouldn't drink so much caffeine at 1am, it makes you cranky.
Even if Mikey is able to sell the remaining 5K or so tickets (pure guess on my part) and declare a sellout, who cares? The million or so (pure guess again) local NFL junkies who make it a habit of wasting their Sunday afternoon watching Mikey's putrid excuse of an NFL team take the field and find new ways lose each week can now begin the rehab process by finding something better to do on Sunday. Once we realize we can live without the Bungals on Sundays, it becomes easier every week. Mikey loses TV advertising revenues, then merchandise revenues, etc, etc. As people free themselves from his tyranny, eventually he should get the message. It happened before then he brought Marvin in and supposedly gave him the keys to the team. I know that gave us all hope until it became obvious that was just a ruse. But, fool me once.....................
Hi, my name is Ken, I've been clean (from watching the Bungals) for 3 weeks now and have found that Sunday afternoons are much better now that I am no longer cursing the TV, kicking the dog and yelling at my wife because the Bungals put me such a bad mood. I have been able to constructively spend that time with my wife and family. You should try it as well.
It's Over
No last minute bailouts from corporate partners like Kroger or 5/3 Bank. No sudden reversal of Scrooge by Mike Brown to buy up the tickets at $0.34 on the dollar to say 'thank you' to blindly loyal fans that have sold out PBS over the past seven years. It's past 1pm here in the East, and that ...
"WDR: We need a "Sea of Yellow" at PBS versus the Steelers. Sell or Give your tickets to a Steelers fan."
Do not give your tickets to a Steeler's fan but if you have tickets and have to go to the game, lean over the railing and piss on the field and then leave. If 60,000 other people follow suit, that'll create your sea of yellow.
Things You Will Never Hear Mike Brown Say
Jerry Jones following the Cowboys loss to the Jaguars at home today (ESPNDallas via PFT): "I'm embarrassed. Of course I am. And, to every fan, I should have and do take the ultimate, ultimate responsibility. I do. That's the way we're structured. That's the way I run it. There's no question tha...
The state tax savings is merely a benefit not a reason for leaving. The "benefit" derived from the lack of a state income tax also assumes he officially changes his state of residency to Florida (he has said he considers Akron home and won't leave). Yes he will have to pay tax in the states he travels to but only on his NBA salary not his endorsement and other income. Time will tell if the move affects his future earnings but if you assume his annual earnings are $50 Million, he saves about $3 million/year, not bad but not enough of a reason to switch teams.
I don't like the fact that Lebron left the Cav's and completely despise the way he went about it ("The Decision" WTF was that shit?)
Not Bengals Related But...
...some dumb shit is going around about how Lebron will earn more in Miami because Florida has no state income tax. That would be true only if his future earnings in whatever state he could have played in (Florida, Ohio, Illinois, New York) were going to be almost identical for his entire career...
"how on earth that becomes arrest-able and prosecutable I have no idea."
In most states that is considered assault no matter who it is. In Texas, I thought that would just be considered a fun night out on the town.
Discount!
The NFL offseason has been going slowly for the Bengals. With the exception of the minor verbal war Chad and Carson got in to, there's been nothing to deter fans from actually having optimistic outlooks on the 2010-11 season. Now, there may be something, as Pro Football Talk informs us that Ced...
Here is the link to that case. The facts are actually easy to read. The legal stuff, not so much.
http://www.ustaxcourt.gov/InOpHistoric/BROWNpaul.TCM.WPD.pdf
Since the Knowlton shares are non-voting, I don't think you can get on the board even if you can find a way to buy them. Their only value is in the amount of "excess cash" allocable to those shares on an annual basis.
Food for Thought - Mike Brown & the Estate Tax
(warning, this post is hugely speculative and its conclusions are certainly wrong in a material way - now keep reading please!) People call Mike Brown a good businessman from time to time. Given how rich he has made himself off of the Bengals, it is hard to argue. But nevertheless, I have. B...
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