It’s important for NFL teams to have nice and up-to-date practice facilities and locker rooms not only to make sure players are happy, healthy, and able to adequately prepare for games but also to help lure valuable free agents. Unfortunately for the Cincinnati Bengals, it sounds like they have some of the worst facilities in the league.
This week, the NFL Players Association released its report cards for all 32 NFL teams, and the Bengals certainly did not rank among the best in part because of their food service and locker rooms.
“The Bengals are one of three teams that do not provide dinner to their players; they are also one of two teams that do not provide vitamins, and they are the only team that doesn’t provide supplements. Additionally, players feel that they have some of the smallest hot/cold tubs in the league; they have issues with the showers and toilets not consistently working, and they are the only team that does not have outlets in their lockers to charge devices,” the NFLPA said.
Another big concern is the way the team’s families are treated, with players revealing that there is no designated space for the families of players during games.
“The players who responded to the survey also complained that there is nowhere warm and safe for mothers and kids to go during the game because the Bengals do not provide a family room, unlike the majority of teams. Players reported that wives have sat on the public restroom floor to nurse their babies.”
It’s quite clear that the players don’t believe team owner Mike Brown is willing to make improvements, either, with only 44% believing he would be willing to spend money to improve the facilities.
That’s certainly not a way to lure free agents.
[NFLPA]
