The Bengals have already cashed in on the sale of Bibles, compact discs, videos and other religious merchandise during the four-day Billy Graham mission inside Paul Brown Stadium next month.

        World Wide Publications, the merchandising arm of Mr. Graham's empire, must pay a $17,500 fee to the Bengals before the first item can be sold.

STADIUM EXPENSES

Estimated expenses during the Billy Graham crusade at Paul Brown Stadium:     • Security, $128,000     • Field preparation and recovery, $98,250     • Cleaning, $66,942     • Utilities, $42,910     • Scoreboard, PA, camera, $32,000     • Stadium manager's staff, $30,650     • Maintenance contractors, $20,000     • First aid and medical, $16,000     • Fire department, $15,000     • Restroom supplies, $9,000

        That's because the lease signed between the team and Hamilton County in 1996 gave all merchandising rights inside the $451 million, taxpayer-funded stadium to the Bengals.

        The Bengals declined to comment on the merchandise fee.

        Rick Segal, a spokesman for the Graham mission, said merchandising fees have become common.

        “It may be somewhat higher here than what we've been accustomed to,” Mr. Segal said. “But, frankly, everything is.”

        Much of the higher expense is because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

        In addition to merchandising fees, the mission will rack up an estimated $458,000 in expenses during the events. It also has to pay a $150,000 “user fee,” which will be split between the Bengals and Hamilton County, which owns the stadium.

        The Bengals will also receive all the revenue from concession sales, and split the parking revenue with the county.

        A provision in the contract dictates that catering for the 150 event workers must be provided by the Bengals' concessionaire.

        Jeff Anderson, mission director and manager of arrangements for the Billy Graham Association, said security costs have increased the most.

        “Security costs in major venues have, in essence, doubled,” Mr. Anderson said. “When we first started talking, our cost was going to be $180,000. We've got it down because they're allowing volunteer ushers to work inside the (seating) bowl.”

        The mission will occupy the stadium from June 21 through July 2. The events are June 27-30. The extra time is needed to set up and tear down the stage and other equipment for the event.

        “And we're using the entire building,” Mr. Anderson said. “It's a showcase facility and the staff at the stadium have been a tremendous team for us to work with.”
       
       

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