THE CROWN MEDIA NETWORK | PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE CROWN MEDIA NETWORK AND THE PARK TEAM UP FOR THE 26-27 BENGALS SEASON AT THE BANKS
Season-long partnership will transform The Park into a live home for The Crown Network, featuring
live shows, meet-and-greets, VIP experiences, special events and exclusive programming
throughout Bengals season
CINCINNATI, OH — September 8, 2026 — The Crown Network and The Park today announced a major
season-long partnership that will bring two exciting entertainment brands together at the center of Bengals
game day.
For the duration of the 2026-2027 Cincinnati Bengals season, The Crown Network will take over The
Park at The Banks, transforming the popular bar and restaurant into a home for Crown programming,
talent, fans and special experiences.
Throughout the season, fans can expect a number of live shows, Bengals pregame programming,
watch parties, meet-and-greets, VIP events, special guests, exclusive content, giveaways and
additional experiences featuring personalities from across The Crown Network. The Crown Network will
continue its daily programming from its headquarters in OTR.
The partnership officially kicks off this Sunday, September 13, as the Bengals open the 2026 season at
Paycor Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1 p.m.
Before kickoff, First Word with James Rapien will broadcast LIVE from The Park from 9:00–11:00
a.m., bringing Bengals fans two hours of pregame conversation, analysis and predictions from James
Rapien, Marisa Contipelli and Jacob Tissot. The show will be followed by a meet-and-greet with the First
Word team.
And that is only the beginning.
THE CROWN HAS A NEW HOME ON BENGALS GAME DAYS
The Crown Network launched this summer as Cincinnati’s modern digital media network, built around
original programming spanning sports, business, entertainment, lifestyle and culture. Its programming is
distributed across YouTube, social platforms, podcasts, digital channels and television through RESN.
The network’s growing lineup includes First Word with James Rapien, The Working Lunch with Jack
Crumley, The Nat Jones Show, Nat Tries That, Rebound Rundown and The Pitino Show, among other
original programming.
Now, The Crown is taking that content beyond the studio and bringing it directly into one of Cincinnati’s
biggest gathering places.
“The Crown was never designed to live only on a screen,” said D.J. Hodge, President of The
Crown Network. “We want to be where Cincinnati is. We want our personalities interacting
with our audience, our shows coming to life across the city and our brand right in the middle
of the moments that matter to this city. There may be no better example of that than Bengals
game day at The Banks.”
Hodge continued:
“This is much bigger than putting our logo inside a bar. We’re building a true second home
for The Crown throughout Bengals season. Live broadcasts. Events. Meet-and-greets. VIP
experiences. Original content. Surprise guests. We want fans walking into The Park and
immediately feeling like they’re part of The Crown. This is exactly the type of partnership we
envisioned when we launched the network, and we’re just getting started.”
A PREMIER LOCATION IN THE HEART OF THE BANKS
Located at 161 E. Freedom Way, The Park sits in the heart of The Banks, steps from Paycor Stadium and
surrounded by the energy of Cincinnati’s riverfront entertainment district. The venue, which opened in 2024,
was created by local hospitality entrepreneurs Will Hodges and Chase Daoud and combines an indooroutdoor
atmosphere, year-round patio seating, cocktails, food and a modern social environment.
Hodges and Daoud are the co-founders of HD Restaurant Group and also own and operate The Well and
The Mad Piper in Covington, giving the duo a growing portfolio of distinctive Greater Cincinnati hospitality
concepts.
For Hodges, the partnership creates an opportunity to make The Park an even bigger part of Cincinnati’s
Bengals tradition.
“The Park was built to be a gathering place, and there is nothing that brings Cincinnati
together quite like Bengals football,” said Will Hodges, Partner at The Park. “We are sitting in
one of the best locations in the city on game day, and we wanted to create an experience that
gives people a reason to come early, stay late and make The Park part of their Bengals
tradition.”
“What The Crown is building in Cincinnati is exciting,” Hodges continued. “They have
incredible talent, great shows and a real connection to this city. Chase and I saw an
opportunity to take what both of our brands do well and create something completely
different. We don’t just want to be another place to grab a drink before the game. We want The
Park to be one of the places you HAVE to be on Bengals Sundays.”
CONTENT COMES TO LIFE
Throughout the Bengals season, fans can expect appearances and experiences involving talent and
content from across The Crown Network, including:
First Word with James Rapien
Cincinnati’s ONLY local morning sports show, hosted by James Rapien alongside Marisa Contipelli and
Jacob Tissot, delivering daily analysis and conversation surrounding the Bengals and Cincinnati sports.
The Working Lunch with Jack Crumley
Cincinnati’s ONLY daily business show, highlighting the entrepreneurs, companies, leaders and ideas
shaping the region.
The Nat Jones Show & Nat Tries That
Natalie Jones brings her personality to Cincinnati’s people, restaurants, experiences, entertainment and
culture through long-form conversations and original social and video content.
Rebound Rundown with Paul Fritschner
The Crown’s dedicated college basketball show covering Xavier, Cincinnati and the broader Midwest
college basketball landscape.
Additional Crown personalities, athletes, coaches, local celebrities, business leaders and special guests will
be incorporated into events throughout the season.
MORE THAN A WATCH PARTY
The Crown at The Park is designed to become a season-long live entertainment platform, with
programming extending beyond traditional Bengals watch parties.
The partnership will feature a rotating calendar of Crown experiences including live broadcasts, pregame
shows, talent appearances, meet-and-greets, VIP gatherings, brand activations, special events and unique
content produced from The Park.
“Cincinnati deserves a media brand that doesn’t just talk about the city but participates in it,”
said Hodge. “The Crown is about Cincinnati sports, Cincinnati business, Cincinnati culture
and Cincinnati people. Partnerships like this allow us to bring all of those things together in
real life. We want to create moments people talk about, content people want to share and
experiences people don’t want to miss.”
The first of those experiences arrives Sunday morning.
OPENING WEEKEND
THE CROWN NETWORK x THE PARK
Bengals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, September 13, 2026
The Park | 161 E. Freedom Way | The Banks
9:00–11:00 AM First Word with James Rapien — LIVE from The Park
Following the Show Meet-and-Greet with the First Word Team
1:00 PM Bengals vs. Buccaneers at Paycor Stadium
Additional programming, events, VIP experiences and special appearances for the remainder of the
Bengals season will be announced throughout the year.
ABOUT THE CROWN NETWORK
The Crown is Cincinnati’s modern digital media network, delivering original sports, business, lifestyle and
culture programming built specifically for today’s audience. The network reaches viewers and listeners
across YouTube, social media, podcasts, digital platforms and television through RESN. Its programming
includes First Word with James Rapien, The Working Lunch with Jack Crumley, The Nat Jones Show, Nat
Tries That, Rebound Rundown and The Pitino Show. The Crown is the network division of 1831 Media
LLC.
Cincinnati has a story to tell. The Crown has it covered.
ABOUT THE PARK
Located at 161 E. Freedom Way in the heart of The Banks, The Park is a bar and restaurant designed
around an indoor-outdoor social experience, featuring year-round patio seating, food, cocktails and a
modern atmosphere just steps from Cincinnati’s riverfront sports and entertainment venues. The Park is
owned and operated by hospitality entrepreneurs Will Hodges and Chase Daoud, co-founders of HD
Restaurant Group, whose concepts also include The Well and The Mad Piper in Covington.
MEDIA CONTACT
The Crown Media Network / 1831 Media
Cincinnati, Ohio
cincycrown.com.
