One of the reported demands from Marvin Lewis before his contract expired following the 2010 season, was an indoor practice facility. During the press conference that announced Lewis' two-year contract in January, Bengals president Mike Brown was asked about it.
"Marvin has a desire to have a practice facility. I have a desire, but probably not as keen... Right now, we’re faced with major issues in the National Football League, and those are at the front of our agenda. When we get through that, then we’ll have time to consider this issue."
The major issues facing the NFL remain major issues, yet the Bengals are finally considering their own practice facility. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy, the Bengals have had "discussions with the Ohio Utilities Protection Service regarding utility work that would need to be done" as part of "preliminary assessments" for the indoor facility.
The indoor facility, according to a team official, would be paid by the Bengals.