Bengals take big step toward stadium renovations, lease extension

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CINCINNATI -- Hamilton County and the Bengals took a major step toward keeping the NFL franchise based in downtown Cincinnati.

On Thursday, the board of county commissioners approved the tentative framework for a $470 million agreement that will keep the team in its current home of Paycor Stadium through at least 2036. The money will be used to renovate the stadium that opened in 2000 on the banks of the Ohio River.

The deal comes after talks had ramped up significantly ahead of the pending June 30 deadline for the team to extend its current lease that expires after the 2025 season. The financial terms approved Thursday will give the county and the Bengals additional time…