Mike Brown

Mike Brown
Position(s)	Owner, General Manager, and President
College	Dartmouth '57
Career record	109 Wins - 190 Losses - 1 tie (.365)
Team(s) as a coach/administrator
1991-present	Cincinnati Bengals

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Michael "Mike" Brown (born 1937) is the franchise owner of the Cincinnati Bengals, an American football team in the National Football League. He is the son of former Cleveland Browns, Ohio State University and Cincinnati Bengals coach/co-founder, Paul Brown. Mike Brown assumed ownership responsibilities upon his father's death in August 1991.^[1]

Stadium Deal

In 1996, Hamilton County voters passed a one-half percent sales tax increase to fund the building of two new facilities for both the Bengals and the Major League Baseball Cincinnati Reds. Brown felt Riverfront Stadium's small seating capacity and lack of luxury boxes prohibited the Bengals' success.^[2] In 1995, he announced that Cincinnati had breached its lease agreement when it was late by one week in paying $167,000 in concession receipts.[1] He threatened to move the team to Baltimore if Cincinnati or Hamilton County would not fund a new stadium.^[3] The leverage of this threat proved successful as Cincinnati’s City Council and the Hamilton County Commissioners opted to fund the new Paul Brown Stadium with a proposed county sales tax increase. Although the sales-tax referendum passed, ^[4], the Bengals filed suit against the County for the right to manage it in 2000.^[5]. County commissioners agreed to let a Bengals' subsidiary run the stadium^[6] and it opened later that year.^[7]

Todd Portune unseated future Bengals employee Bob Bedinghaus for the role of Hamilton County Commissoner

In 2007, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune (a former Cincinnati City Council member, though not Commissioner at the time the parties executed the lease), filed a lawsuit in federal district court against the NFL, the Bengals and the other 31 NFL teams. Portune felt, among other things, that published revenues from 1995-1999 ^[8] contradicted Brown's claims of financial distress. The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners eventually was substituted as the plaintiff in the case. [2] Portune remains insistent that the county's lease agreement with the Bengals needs reform.[3] Fans supporting Portune cite what they feel is the broken promise that the Bengals would "be more competitive" with a new stadium.^[9] The Bengals have only one winning season out of nine since the stadium opened.

Rick Eckstein, co-author of "Public Dollars, Private Stadiums," describes the Hamilton County arrangement as "the single most lopsided stadium deal since 1993" and questions Bob Bedinghaus' [4] role with the team after having been County Commissioner when the deal was reached.[5] The Bengals' team ranking in direct revenues has actually dropped since the construction of Paul Brown Stadium. Forbes recently ranked the team 21st in total value at $941 million.[6]

Tolerance of Off Field Conduct

In 2005, the Bengals drafted Chris Henry and Odell Thurman, who were each exceptionally talented but possible disciplinary hazards during their college careers.^[10][11] They following year, they were among nine Bengals players arrested for various offenses. Brown cut several "problem players" in 2008 including Henry and Thurman, but re-signed Henry later that year.^[12] This came after five arrests of Henry and Brown's statement earlier in the year that Henry's "conduct could no longer be tolerated."^[13] One fan protested by purchasing an electronic billboard along the Cincinnati interstate reading "CHRIS HENRY AGAIN? ARE YOU SERIOUS?"[7]

Later that year, the Bengals signed running back Cedric Benson, whom the Chicago Bears had waived, in part, due to his off-field activities.^[14] Benson is among 2009's leading NFL rushers. ESPN has reported that the Bengals have signed Larry Johnson to provide depth for the position. The Kansas City Chiefs recently released Johnson after suspending him for "detrimential conduct."[8] Johnson has also experienced recent legal difficulties.

Brown has commented that the league's current attitude towards discipline is a change from a past "boys will be boys" attitude.^[15] Brown's father welcomed tailback Stanley Wilson back to the Bengals in 1988 after two drug suspensions. Wilson relapsed the night before Super Bowl XXIII^[16] and his absence in short-yardage situations affected the Bengals' efforts in one of the closest Super Bowl games in history.^[17]

Team Performance

The Indianapolis Colts' success leads fans to compare Brown to Colts owner Jim Irsay

Under Mike Brown's ownership (1991-present), the Bengals have a winning percentage of 109–189–1 (.366) in regular season play and 0–1 in the playoffs.[9] Team performance improved with the hiring of Marvin Lewis. From 2003-present day, the Bengals record is 54-53-1 (.500), winning the AFC North Division in 2005. The team's postseason appearance that year resulted in a loss to the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, who went on to win Super Bowl XL. The Bengals have six of the twenty-two 0-6 starts (27%)[10] and four of the thirteen 0-8 starts (31%) in the NFL since 1991.[11]

Loyalty

Brown is historically reluctant to fire personnel after multiple losing seasons. His first hire as head coach, David Shula, lost fifty games faster than any NFL coach in history (69 games).^[18] Shula's successor, Bruce Coslet, resigned with a 21-39 record in 2000; Brown had yet to fire him.^[19] Current head coach Marvin Lewis is 19-26-1 in his last 45 games with only one playoff appearance in six seasons.

Brown also values his family's connection with the franchise; evident in his choosing to name Paul Brown Stadium after his father rather than to sell corporate naming rights for it.^[20] Daughter Katie Blackburn is the president of the team and her husband Troy is an executive VP with additional family members among the front office staff. [12]

In 2009, the Cincinnati Enquirer publicized details of testimony in a Hamilton County Probate Court trial over the $300 million estate of Austin Knowlton. The details of the case revealed that from 1994-2000, the Bengals paid out over $50 million to the Brown family members of Bengals staff in salaries.[13] Brown testified that he received a general manager bonus every year since he took over the team in 1991.[14]

Former Bengals receiver Cris Collinsworth argues Brown's loyalty played a role in letting Boomer Esiason retire after a productive 1997 season. Esiason became a color analyst on ABC's Monday Night Football. Collinsworth suggested Brown "thought he was doing the right thing by Boomer" and did not want to cost him the MNF job. Collinsworth contrasted this attitude to other NFL owners, like the Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones, whom Collinsworth felt "would have flown Boomer down to the Bahamas on his personal jet, offered to kiss his ring and signed him right there."[15]

Scouting

Brown employs a small scouting staff. A 2008 comparison between the Bengals' scouting department and five AFC teams with a .540+ winning percentage since 1991 showed the winning teams employing five or more scouts whereas the Bengals employed only one. [16] In his first press conference as Bengals head coach, Marvin Lewis claimed Brown assured him of a retooled scouting staff.^[21]

Emphasis on Quarterback

Carson Palmer was injured on his first play of the Bengals' only playoff game under Mike Brown.

Brown has publicized his belief that a "bell cow" quarterback is a necessity in turning a team into a winner.[17] In a 1999 interview, he remarked "If you don't have a productive quarterback, you won't go anywhere...I know it doesn't seem that simple, but it is."[18] Comparing quarterbacks to other positions on a football team, Brown has said "He's the hub of the wheel...like a queen on a chessboard. These other guys are like rooks or bishops or other pieces that are not quite as valuable. Some are more valuable than others. That's just a fact."^[22]

Brown turned down then-Saints coach Mike Ditka's offer of nine draft picks for one in the 1999 NFL draft^[23] against then-coach Coslet's advice. Coslet wanted as many draft picks as possible to help the Bengals' defense.^[24] Instead, Brown overruled Coslet and selected University of Oregon quarterback Akili Smith.^[25] Smith only played 22 games in his NFL career. Coslet later regretted that he "didn't insist hard enough" in trying to persuade Brown to accept the Saints' offer.^[26]

Before the 1992 Draft, press reports stressed the Bengals' need for either a cornerback or defensive lineman.^[27] Brown himself had been quoted the day before the draft as stating "we would dearly love to get a top defensive lineman, they're at a premium, and it's less true of other positions."^[28] Instead, the Bengals selected Houston quarterback David Klingler. Then Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason and strong-safety David Fulcher both openly questioned the move the next day, arguing the team needed help on defense.^[29] Klingler became an eventual bust.

Brown places a great deal of responsibility on current quarterback Carson Palmer, calling him the Bengals' "lead dog" and stating "as he goes, we go."[19] Palmer holds a number of team records and two Pro Bowl appearances. The Bengals are 40-37 (.519) with Palmer as starter.^[30]

"Carl Pickens Clause"

In 2000, the Bengals instituted a "loyalty clause," which allows the Bengals to deny various bonuses to players depending on the remarks they make about the Bengals.^[31] The ability to enact such a clause appears justified under the collective bargaining agreement which states an NFL team can fine a player one week's salary and suspend him without pay for up to four weeks for any action the club considers detrimental to the team.^[32] Brown responded that the clause would only be enacted under extreme circumstances. He wrote an editorial for the Cincinnati Enquirer, citing team cohesion as his main motivation for the clause.^[33]

It is often dubbed the "Carl Pickens Clause," stemming from the 2000 offseason. Brown renewed Bruce Coslet's contract despite his 21–36 Bengals record. Pickens responded, "I don't understand it. We're trying to win; we're trying to turn this thing around out there. And they bring (Coslet) back."^[34] Pickens finished his career with the Tennessee Titans.

Over the years since the clause, Bengals players have commented on a negative atmosphere within the organization, notably Takeo Spikes^[35], Jeff Blake^[36] and Jon Kitna^[37].

The most vocal critic of the Bengals since the clause was instituted was Corey Dillon. ^[38] In 2001, after becoming the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards or more in five consecutive seasons, he remarked "at the end of the season, what do I have to feel good about? Nothing at all. It's not cool." After a fifth losing season with the team in 2002, he remarked ""I'm tired of it, six years of this B.S. I ain't lying to you. I'm sick of this crap, period."^[37] Dillon demanded a trade at the end of 2003 and won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.

Frugality

Warren Sapp went to the Oakland Raiders after the Bengals appeared to have signed him

In 1994, agent Leigh Steinberg described Brown as "in a lonely fight for economic rationality in the NFL" and "a Don Quixote-type figure pushing back the forces of salary madness."[20] Over the years, Brown has proven reluctant to finish free agent signings or trades. Warren Sapp (in 2004) and Shaun Rogers (in 2008) are notable recent examples.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus described it as a "matter of hours" before the Bengals would sign Sapp, only a day before the Raiders signed him.^[39] Sapp accused the Bengals of "playing with the money" on the original deal they offered him, deferring more money to incentives rather than in guarantees.^[40] The Associated Press reported a completed trade between Cincinnati and the Detroit Lions on February 29, 2008 for Rogers.^[41] However, the trade fell through and the next day, it was confirmed that the Lions instead traded Rogers to the Cleveland Browns. [21]

Fan Protests

Organizers from MikeBrownSucks[22] organized a boycott of a December 2001 regular season game [23] and fans visiting this site have paid for planes to fly a banner in the Cincinnati area calling for Brown's resignation. [24]

Who Dey Revolution (WDR)[25] has staged "Project Mayhem" since 2008 in an effort to persuade Brown to make changes to the Bengals. These steps ranged from calling the Bengals "JERK line"[26] to report Brown's behavior as abusive[27] to purchasing billboards displaying a request for a General Manager [28] to merchandise and ticket donations/boycotts [29] and letter-writing campaigns [30]. The website's purchase and distribution of 1000 urinal cakes at a Bengals' home game advertised Brown's lifetime regular season record of 98-186-1 to that point.[31]

WDR publishes a comic strip titled "The Lost Generation", presenting Mike Brown in a Charlie Brownesque caricature, presumably to correlate Brown's track record to the famous cartoon character's history of hard luck and failure.^[42]

Responses to Criticism

Several people cast Mike Brown sympathetically in response to fan and media criticism. After a surprising upset of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2003, Marvin Lewis tearfully awarded the game ball to Brown and told his players "he has put up with so much for you guys."^[43] Former Bengals dismiss notions that Brown is unconcerned with winning. Boomer Esiason, now a CBS analyst, refers to Brown as a "nice man" who is simply over his head running the team.^[44] [32] In 1998 interviews, Cris Collinsworth and Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham also rejected notions that Brown did not care about winning. Collinsworth remarked "I don't think anybody could be suffering more over this than Mike is." [33]

Personal Life

Brown is considered somewhat reclusive although he occasionally grants interviews, mostly to discuss offseason moves with the Bengals. Brown and the Bengals recently donated $250,000 to assist the Cincinnati Park Board in paying for Cincinnati Riverfront Park.[34] Brown is a registered Republican. He contributed money to both John McCain and George W. Bush's presidential campaigns.[35]

Additional Sources

• Stadium Deal
• Player Legal Problems
• Paul Brown
• Historical statistics of the team
• Mike Brown Editorial
• Bengals.com
• Pro-football-reference.com
• WHODEYREVOLUTION.COM

References

1. ^ Paul Brown
2. ^ Forbes, Gordon, 1995, June 20. Bengals' boss sees stadiums as solutions, USA Today, 6C.
3. ^ 1995, June 25, Bengals set ultimatum, The Washington Post, p. D05
4. ^ 1996, September 6. The stadium binge, USA Today, 20C.
5. ^ 2000, April 27. Bengals sue county for right to manage new football stadium, The Associated Press State & Local Wire.
6. ^ 2000, May 25. County OKs deal to let Bengals unit manage new stadium , The Associated Press State & Local Wire.
7. ^ 2000, September 10. Browns spoil opener for Bengals' stadium, Associated Press Worldstream
8. ^ Bruton, Mike. 2001, May 17. League, teams take aim at revenue report. Philadelphia Inquirer.
9. ^ Associated Press, 2000, August 16, Public gets look at new Bengals' stadium.
10. ^ Newberry, Paul. 2004, September 30. Odell Thurman: I'm not a bad guy, The Associated Press State & Local Wire.
11. ^ Kay, Joe. 2005, April 3, Henry had to convince Bengals he was a good risk, The Associated Press State & Local Wire.
12. ^ Maske, Mark. 2008, August 20. Bengals Re-Sign WR Henry Despite His Suspension, The Washington Post, E03.
13. ^ 2008, April 4, Bengals drop Henry after assault charge, conduct 'no longer tolerated' by team, National Post (Canada)
14. ^ Kay, Joe. 2008, November 5. Benson has become Bengals' top runner, Associated Press Online.
15. ^ Kay, August 30, 2008
16. ^ Mihoces, Gary. 1989, January 23. Wilson hit with Bowl ban, USA Today, 4C.
17. ^ Eskenazi, Gerald. 1989, January 24. SUPER BOWL; Too Many Hurdles for the Bengals, The New York Times, B13
18. ^ Chad, Norman. 1996, October 11. Easy to understand agony of Cincinnati, The Toronto Star, B3.
19. ^ Myers, Gary. 2000, October 1. Bruce finally loose, Daily News (New York), p. 77.
20. ^ Rozin, Skip. 2000, September 11. Welcome to U.S. Widget Stadium, Business Week, p. 124.
21. ^ Bell, Jarrett. 2003, January 16. Lewis needs to beat bushes to turn over new leaf, USA Today, p. 6C.
22. ^ Ludwig, Chick. 19, April 16. Bengals hope to gain a quarterback, Cox News Service.
23. ^ Bell, Jarret. 1999, April 20. Huard, Poindexter look past bad falls, USA Today, 10C.
24. ^ Myers, 2000.
25. ^ Kay, Joe. 1999, April 17. Smith looking forward to rivalry with Couch, Browns, Associated Press Wire.
26. ^ Myers, 2000.
27. ^ n/t, Nolan, John. 1992, April 23, Associated Press
28. ^ n/t, Nolan, John. 1992, April 24, Associated Press.
29. ^ n/a, n/t, 1992, April 27, Associated Press, Monday AM cycle.
30. ^ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PalmCa00_games.htm
31. ^ 2000, August 1. Union challenges loyalty clause, USA Today, 12C
32. ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/2000/06/11/bengals_contracts_ap/
33. ^ http://bengals.enquirer.com/2000/07/18/ben_loyalty_clause_is.html
34. ^ Quotes of the Week, 2000, January 1, The Independent (London), p. 23
35. ^ Elfin, David. 2002, 18 October, Bungling along; Cincinnati seems content never to contend, The Washington Times, p. C04
36. ^ Wright, Ken, 2002, 8 November. No fond Bengal memories for Blake, The Washington Times, p. C04
37. ^ ^{a b} Sandler, 2002
38. ^ Sandler, Jeremy, 2002, 30 December, Losing becomes them: The Bengals' problems are biblical in proportion, but no salvation appears in sight, National Post (Canada), p.S2
39. ^ Price, Jeff. 2004, 19 March. Agent: Sapp close to four-year deal with Bengals, Associated Press
40. ^ 2004, March 21, Cimini, Rich & Myers, Gary, Sapp rushes to Raiders, Daily News, New York, p. 74
41. ^ Lage, Larry, 2008, February 29, Lions DT Shaun Rogers goes to Cincinnati for 3rd, 5th-round picks, Associated Press.
42. ^ http://www.whodeyrevolution.com/whodeyrevolution/lost-generation/
43. ^ Shapiro, Leonard, 2003, November 23, Tearing down the Bungle society, Los Angeles Times, p. D1
44. ^ Shapiro, Leonard, 2002, October 26, Bengals: Amazing 'disgrace,' The Washington Post, p. D02.