Reds Fans Unlikely to Forgive Phil Castellini's 'Where You Gonna Go' Comment Anytime Soon

Columnist says winning is the only way for Reds owner to regain trust of fanbase

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:47pm

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In his latest column, Jason Williams discusses the fallout from Cincinnati Reds owner Phil Castellini's infamous 2022 comments where he told fans "where you gonna go" amid the team's roster teardown. Williams argues that only sustained winning and success on the field will allow Reds fans to move past Castellini's unpopular remarks, noting that a faction of fans will likely never forgive him. The column also draws parallels to other Cincinnati sports figures like former UC president Nancy Zimpher who faced long-lasting fan resentment over controversial decisions.

Why it matters

Castellini's comments struck a nerve with Reds fans who were frustrated with the team's lack of competitiveness and ownership's perceived unwillingness to invest in the roster. The fallout has created an ongoing rift between the team's leadership and its fanbase, which could impact attendance, merchandise sales, and overall goodwill toward the franchise.

The details

In the column, Williams responds to a reader's email about a recent letter to the editor from the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce president calling for Reds fans to move on from Castellini's comments. Williams argues that it will take a lot of winning - including the Reds finally winning a postseason series under Castellini's ownership - before fans are ready to forgive and forget. He notes that even then, there will likely be a faction of fans who never get over the remarks. Williams also draws parallels to other Cincinnati sports figures like former UC president Nancy Zimpher, who faced years of resentment from Bearcats fans over her decision to fire Bob Huggins.

  • In 2022, Phil Castellini made his infamous "where you gonna go" comments to Reds fans on Opening Day.
  • Earlier this month, Castellini was booed by fans when he spoke at center court during a Xavier basketball game, highlighting the ongoing resentment toward the Reds owner.

The players

Phil Castellini

The current CEO and part-owner of the Cincinnati Reds, whose comments in 2022 telling fans "where you gonna go" amid the team's roster teardown created significant backlash.

Bob Castellini

Phil Castellini's father and the majority owner of the Cincinnati Reds, who has faced criticism from fans for not bringing a championship to Cincinnati during his 20 years of ownership.

Nancy Zimpher

The former president of the University of Cincinnati, who faced years of resentment from Bearcats fans over her decision to fire popular basketball coach Bob Huggins in the 2000s.

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What they’re saying

“Even then, there will be a faction of fans who'll never get over Castellini's ill-advised comments on Opening Day 2022.”

— Jason Williams, Columnist

What’s next

The Reds will need to demonstrate sustained success and competitiveness on the field before fans are ready to fully move past Phil Castellini's unpopular comments. Winning a postseason series under the Castellini family's ownership would be a significant milestone in that process.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges that sports franchise owners can face when making controversial statements that damage their relationship with the fanbase. Regaining that trust and goodwill often requires years of on-field success and consistent winning, rather than just public relations efforts or civic engagement.