With the Cincinnati Bengals' 0-2 start this season, speculation is growing that Hamilton County taxpayers could have to pay the team $7 million or more because county government guaranteed 50,000 tickets would be sold for the first 20 games at Paul Brown Stadium. Through Aug. 18, 40,191 personal seat licenses were sold.

"I certainly understand the speculation, the way the Bengals are playing right now," County Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus said. On the other hand: "People will be coming to downtown Cincinnati not just to see a football team next year, but they'll be coming down to see the stadium."

Bengals' Director of Community Affairs Jeff Berding said it is highly unlikely the county will have to pay a significant sum, if anything, because of its ticket-sales pledge.

"I think everyone in the program is extraordinarily confident we will exceed the 50,000 for each and every one of the games," Berding said.

Single-game ticket sales and group sales count toward the 50,000 pledge.

Meanwhile, stadium critic Tim Mara today blasted Bengals' President Mike Brown's refusal so far to let the Reds install natural grass in Cinergy Field, even after what likely will be the Bengals' final game at Cinergy, Dec. 12 versus Cleveland.

"It's bad enough that Mike Brown has failed to respond to (taxpayers') generosity by fielding a winning team or hiring a competent general manager, but now he is making it difficult for the Reds to do their best for baseball fans," Mara said. "By standing in the way of real grass, Mr. Brown could cause the Reds to lose their team captain, Barry Larkin, to another team or shorten his career."

Brown told The Post he will not block the Reds' attempts to install grass at Cinergy - if the Reds agree not to play any home games on the same days the Bengals have preseason or regular-season games.

The Bengals will not need Cinergy Field after their final game, but have veto rights to any major changes until next summer's move to their new $288 million Paul Brown Stadium. The teams have been discussing the grass since February without success, said Berding. "Obviously the county supports the Reds' plans to get the grass," Bedinghaus said. "But the lease is very clear that it's an issue between the teams."

He declined to say whether the county should mediate if the issue goes unresolved.

"We're just looking out for the interests of the fans of both teams," Berding said. "We're very supportive of the Reds and nobody is rooting harder for them to make the playoffs this year than we are."

Copyright 1999 The Cincinnati Post