Introducing Bengals Bayou House

SBJ Calls It “The Latest Step For a Franchise Trying to Shed Its Traditional Reputation and Leverage Its High-Octane Offense”

January 24, 2025

Bengals Launch First Super Bowl Hospitality House
SBJ’s Ben Fischer writes, “It’s a coincidence that three of the most famous Bengals of this century -- QB Joe Burrow, WR Ja'Marr Chase and former OT Andrew Whitworth -- all attended LSU, but those ties are a good jumping off point for the team’s first Super Bowl hospitality house in New Orleans next month. With some help from LSU, the Bengals will open the ‘Bengals Bayou House’ to industry professionals and fans on Feb. 7-8 (Friday and Saturday) in the Big Easy.

“Featured programming includes two VIP dinners from 7-9pm each night, Ekert said, with Friday night hosted by Louis XIII cognac and Saturday hosted by Sazerac, a team sponsor. In the early afternoon each day, the house will feature panel discussions moderated by Kay Adams, with Bengals Director of Strategy and Engagement Elizabeth Blackburn slated to participate.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

UNC Releases Bill Belichick’s Signed Contract, Including Salary Details, Bonuses and Buyout Info
The Athletic’s Ralph D. Russo and Matt Baker report: “North Carolina released Bill Belichick’s signed contract Thursday, a three-year guaranteed agreement that gives the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach a $1.75 million bonus for winning a national championship on top of his $10 million annual salary.

“The deal includes a $10 million buyout that Belichick would owe the school if he were to leave before June 1, a provision meant to protect UNC in the event he has a change of heart and opts to return to the NFL.”
^{The Athletic}

Ohio State’s Second Title in the CFP Era Averages 22.1 Million Viewers, a 12% Decline From Last Year
Ohio State’s 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game, was the most-watched game of the season. However, it was a double-digit drop in viewers from last year. It was the third-lowest audience of the 11 CFP title games, with all three occurring in the past five years. The audience peaked at 26.1 million viewers during the second quarter (8:30-8:45 p.m. EST) when the game was tied at 7-7.
^{AP News}

Comcast Debuts New Sports-Focused Video Bundle
SBJ’s Mollie Cahillane writes, “‘Sports & News TV’ includes over 50 broadcast, cable news and sports channels, plus streaming service Peacock, coming in at $70 per month. It includes local broadcast channels and national news channels, and sports channels such as ACC Network, BTN, ESPN, FS1 and Golf Channel. While a video package, it’s also a streaming offering available through the Xfinity Stream app, adding to options for cord-cutters and cord-nevers.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Texans Have New President in Mind, Sources Say
SBJ’s Eric Fischer writes, “Multiple sources say Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair, along with a search firm, have already conducted a search and tentatively identified a replacement for team President Greg Grissom, whose departure was announced via press release earlier today.

“The hush-hush search and selection, which was conducted without Grissom’s knowledge, first came to SBJ’s attention more than a week ago, but I was unable to confirm the details prior to today’s announcement. The hiring is not fully complete, but industry sources have called it a high-profile selection from outside the organization, and expect an announcement to come as soon as Monday.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Brazil in Discussions With NFL About Long-Term Contract for International Games
The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena reports: “The discussions are happening as the NFL seeks to finalize its slate of international games in 2025. Commissioner Roger Goodell said in November that the league is shooting for eight games next season and that he expects Brazil to be among the hosting countries.

“Gustavo Pires, the president of São Paulo tourism, said neither contingent is ruling out signing another one-year contract — a deal with a deadline of February or March. But Pires said they are developing plans for a four-year, five-year or six-year deal that secures more continuity and investment in their country’s efforts to establish a market for the game.”
^{The Athletic}

St. Petersburg to Rays: No Deadline in Contract For Repairing Tropicana Field
City Administrator Rob Gerdes has told the Tampa Bay Rays in a letter that St. Petersburg is under no obligation to repair Tropicana Field in time for opening day 2026, as the Rays now expect.

Rays president, Matt Silverman, said that a partial 2026 season in the Trop would “present massive logistical and revenue challenges” for the team. Gerdes pointed out that the city is required to “diligently pursue” repairs to the Trop, but the agreement does not establish a deadline for completing those repairs.
^{Tampa Bay Times}

Virginia Bill Seeks Looser Limits on College Sports Tuition Subsidies
Sportico’s Eben Novy-Williams and Daniel Libit report: “Virginia state Sen. Creigh Deeds, a Democrat from Charlottesville, has proposed a bill to edit an existing law that caps the amount of tuition subsidies that Virginia public schools can direct toward athletics.

“The legislation would remove a paragraph in a decade-old statute that requires any new student fee revenue allocated toward athletics to be matched with a proportionate increase in generated revenue from elsewhere, and expands the list of expenses that are exempt from the cap’s calculations.”
^Sportico

Who Were the Biggest Winners and Losers of New 12-Team CFP? Ryan Day, the SEC and More
The Athletic’s Manny Navarro writes, “[Ryan] Day needed to win a national championship to validate himself after yet another loss to rival Michigan at the end of the regular season. He needed a Playoff run to survive the wrath of his biggest critics — the Buckeyes faithful — and he accomplished it Monday night in Atlanta.

“Now, Day stands at the top of the sport, in prime position to compete with Georgia’s Kirby Smart for the crown of College Football’s Best Coach.

“Of course, Day wasn’t the only winner from this year’s 12-team Playoff. Collectively, commissioner Tony Petitti and the Big Ten can take a large victory lap. The league landed four teams in the field, placed two in the semifinals and took home the national championship trophy for the second year in a row.”
^{The Athletic}

Big 12 is Bringing its Football Media Days Back to Texas After a Quick Trip to Las Vegas
The Big 12 announced Wednesday that the preseason gathering of coaches and players from its 16 schools will be held July 8-9 at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. That is part of The Star complex that is the headquarters of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas hosted the event last year.

“Texas is the backyard of the Big 12 Conference,” said Scott Draper, the league’s chief football and competition officer.
^{AP News}

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