Cincinnati Bengals legend Boomer Esiason expressed frustration after realizing he would have to cover hotel costs to attend the team’s Ring of Honor weekend celebration. The former quarterback, who played for the Bengals for a decade over two stints, was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2023. This year, he was invited to the 2025 ceremony, where a new class of former players will be honored. However, Esiason learned that he would need to cover his own hotel accommodation for the trip, which has raised questions about the team’s approach to honoring its legends.
Esiason shared his concerns during a recent episode of his radio show, ‘Boomer & Gio,’ where he read an email from the Bengals outlining the details of the invitation. The email mentioned that the team had secured discounted hotel rooms for attendees, but Esiason was not given complimentary accommodations. This led him to raise the issue with his co-host, Greg Giannotti, who expressed surprise at the situation.
Giannotti noted that the email appeared to be generic, as it was sent to multiple individuals, raising questions about its sincerity. He questioned why the team would expect Esiason to cover his own hotel costs if the invitation was meant to honor him. The team has yet to provide a public response to the matter, though the Bengals are expected to announce their plans for the Ring of Honor weekend in the coming weeks. Fans and analysts are now debating whether the team’s approach to honoring its legends is appropriate or if it reflects a broader trend in sports organizations.
The Bengals, who open their regular season on September 7 against the Cleveland Browns, have not commented on the situation. The incident has sparked discussions about the financial responsibilities of sports teams when honoring their legends, with some suggesting that such invitations should come with clear expectations, including financial support for travel expenses. As the 2025 season approaches, the team’s approach to this issue could have lasting implications for its relationship with its iconic players and fans.