Money Saving Ownership Still Prevails.

[Kirkendall]

The prime-time view of the downtown Cincinnati skyline during the telecast of "Monday Night Football" was highly praised by civic leaders and fans. Conspicuous by its less-than-prominent showing was Great American Ball Park. The Cincinnati Reds turned on all the park's house lights, including the neon lights fronting Second Street, but declined ABC-TV's pregame request to illuminate the light towers.

One of the city's newest and flashiest skyline features remained somewhat in the dark, a fact noted by "MNF" announcers John Madden and Al Michaels during the broadcast.

Cost was the issue, according to John Allen, the Reds' chief operating officer. Unlike the Bengals, the Reds must pay the operating costs for their stadium. Allen estimated that flipping the switch for the towers would have cost the team "several thousand dollars."

"It's less expensive if you do it regularly (during the baseball season) than if it's a one-shot deal," Allen said. Great American was similarly lit during the Bengals' Sunday night game against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 19 and for the grand opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

"We got no complaints," Allen said of the ballpark's lighting for the Freedom Center debut. "Everyone thought it was great."

Plans to light up downtown during the game were addressed last spring, after the NFL announced the Bengals would play at home on a Monday night for the first time in 15 years. The prime-time network television showcase is seen as a free-publicity windfall by cities hosting the game. Publicity photos from the evening also are used by the chamber of commerce.

"It's an ad for the city that money can't buy," said Nick Vehr of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.

Vehr said the Chamber was pleased with how the city came off on the national broadcast, even without a fully lit Great American Ball Park. "The city looked beautiful," Vehr said, "and I understand the very real costs associated with (turning on) the tower lights."

Bengals officials declined comment.

[Barbarian]

The prime-time view of the downtown Cincinnati skyline during the telecast of "Monday Night Football" was highly praised by civic leaders and fans. Conspicuous by its less-than-prominent showing was Great American Ball Park. The Cincinnati Reds turned on all the park's house lights, including the neon lights fronting Second Street, but declined ABC-TV's pregame request to illuminate the light towers.

One of the city's newest and flashiest skyline features remained somewhat in the dark, a fact noted by "MNF" announcers John Madden and Al Michaels during the broadcast.

Cost was the issue, according to John Allen, the Reds' chief operating officer. Unlike the Bengals, the Reds must pay the operating costs for their stadium. Allen estimated that flipping the switch for the towers would have cost the team "several thousand dollars."

"It's less expensive if you do it regularly (during the baseball season) than if it's a one-shot deal," Allen said. Great American was similarly lit during the Bengals' Sunday night game against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 19 and for the grand opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

"We got no complaints," Allen said of the ballpark's lighting for the Freedom Center debut. "Everyone thought it was great."

Plans to light up downtown during the game were addressed last spring, after the NFL announced the Bengals would play at home on a Monday night for the first time in 15 years. The prime-time network television showcase is seen as a free-publicity windfall by cities hosting the game. Publicity photos from the evening also are used by the chamber of commerce.

"It's an ad for the city that money can't buy," said Nick Vehr of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.

Vehr said the Chamber was pleased with how the city came off on the national broadcast, even without a fully lit Great American Ball Park. "The city looked beautiful," Vehr said, "and I understand the very real costs associated with (turning on) the tower lights."

Bengals officials declined comment.

Christ, Uncle Bernie, YOU CAN f**k UP A WET DREAM!!!!!!

The once in a decade chance to showcase your stadium on MNF (it doesn't happen too often in Cincy) and you decline it.

Nice job, Lindner. I hope the bottom line is really paying off for you.

[comstock]

the way the bengals are headed (up and up) I wouldn't mention both brown and linder in the same sentence anymore. linder makes brown look like santa claus.

[Kirkendall]

the way the bengals are headed (up and up) I wouldn't mention both brown and linder in the same sentence anymore. linder makes brown look like santa claus.

As much as I hope the Bengals succeed, Brown will not pass that "stereo-typical" mindset until his team puts together a winning season.

Both owners are very comparative -- I will give Brown the edge to break out though...

[BengalsOwn]

the way the bengals are headed (up and up) I wouldn't mention both brown and linder in the same sentence anymore. linder makes brown look like santa claus.

[redsfan2]

When Allen made that ridiculous comment about how much it cost to turn the dam lights on, I wish someone would have asked him how much a 2 min commercial promoting the Reds would have cost him to put on MNF.

Penny wise and pound foolish ........ that's allen* every time

* Would have used caps .... but they cost too much