The Bengals’ buy-one, get-one-free promo for season-ticket holders for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Ravens began yesterday “to what was termed by the team as strong sales,” according to Joe Reedy of the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER. Bengals Dir of Sales & Public Affairs Jeff Berding said that the team “moved 2,000 tickets during the first couple of hours but there was not a final figure on how many moved at the close of business.” The offer was announced after Saturday’s 23-17 win over the Cardinals and “players began their appeal after the game for fans to show up for this week’s game.” With a victory over the Ravens, the Bengals “would make the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.” The ticket offer did “generate some plaudits from fans but head scratching from those nationally.” One former NFL GM said that this “was the first time that he could remember a promotion like this for a game of this magnitude.” Besides season-ticket holders, the offer “has been extended to suite holders and some local businesses that do business with the club.” Saturday’s attendance of 41,273 was “the third-lowest crowd for a regular-season game at Paul Brown Stadium.” Reedy notes four of the five “lowest crowds for a regular-season game in the 12 seasons that the Bengals have called PBS home have happened this year.” Through seven home games, the Bengals have drawn “an average of 47,224, which is 72.1 percent of capacity.” The offer for season-ticket holders “will go through Saturday.” Berding said that the club “is evaluating sales results generated by the season ticket offer and could have a promotion for the general public later in the week” (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 12/27).
CHANGE OF PLANS: The Bengals Friday formally announced the sale of a minority ownership in the team held by the estate of former shareholder Austin E. “Dutch” Knowlton. A deal had previously been reached to sell Knowlton’s shares to investors in N.Y., but through a right to match such terms, the ownership stake will remain with the Brown family (Bengals).
