When fans brave freezing temperatures, bundle up in layers, and head to an NFL stadium in December, there’s a baseline expectation: the team will at least make sure they don’t have to shovel their own seats. That wasn’t the case in Cincinnati on Sunday, where fans who showed up for the Bengals-Ravens game were greeted by snow-covered seats-and not much else in terms of comfort.
The Bengals are under scrutiny after failing to clear snow from all seating areas at Paycor Stadium, a move that appears to be a violation of league policy. The NFL has clear expectations when it comes to game-day readiness, especially in winter-weather cities.
Stadiums are supposed to be fully prepped, not just for the players, but for the people who pay to watch them. And in this case, the Bengals didn’t hold up their end.
According to the team, their focus was on clearing aisles, which they said were “prioritized and in good shape.” They added that “seats are easily wiped off and ushers are equipped to help there.” But for fans who arrived to find several inches of snow still blanketing their seats, that explanation probably didn’t feel like much of a solution.
The NFL doesn’t appear poised to take any formal action against the team, but the issue has sparked frustration locally. Hamilton County Commissioner Stephanie Dumas, whose office represents the county that owns the stadium, didn’t hold back.
“We need to do a better job for the next time,” Dumas told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I don’t like it myself.”
Dumas emphasized that while the county owns the stadium, it’s the Bengals’ responsibility to create a welcoming environment for fans. “It’s our stadium,” she said, “but it’s the Bengals’ responsibility to make it a good environment for people coming.”
And she’s right-this isn’t just about snow. It’s about fan experience, and ultimately, about respect.
These are the same fans who show up in sub-freezing temps, who pay premium prices for tickets, parking, and concessions, and who inject life into the stadium. Asking them to bring a towel or shovel to prep their own seat?
That’s not the kind of home-field advantage anyone had in mind.
League policy reflects that mindset. Teams are expected to prepare for weather contingencies, and most of them do-often hiring local workers at hourly wages to help clear snow before kickoff.
It’s a standard practice in cold-weather cities. But by all accounts, the Bengals didn’t put out that call this time, nor did they take the necessary steps to ensure every seat was ready for fans.
From a business standpoint, it’s a bad look. From a fan’s perspective, it’s worse.
The NFL is built on the energy of its crowds, and when teams cut corners on the basics, it sends the wrong message. Snow happens.
But when it ends up in the lap of your paying customers, that’s not just a weather issue-that’s a leadership one.