One of the city's newest and flashiest skyline features remained somewhat in the dark, a fact noted by "MNF" announcers John Madden and Al Michaels during the broadcast.

Cost was the issue, according to John Allen, the Reds' chief operating officer. Unlike the Bengals, the Reds must pay the operating costs for their stadium. Allen estimated that flipping the switch for the towers would have cost the team "several thousand dollars."

"It's less expensive if you do it regularly (during the baseball season) than if it's a one-shot deal," Allen said. Great American was similarly lit during the Bengals' Sunday night game against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 19 and for the grand opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

"We got no complaints," Allen said of the ballpark's lighting for the Freedom Center debut. "Everyone thought it was great."

Plans to light up downtown during the game were addressed last spring, after the NFL announced the Bengals would play at home on a Monday night for the first time in 15 years. The prime-time network television showcase is seen as a free-publicity windfall by cities hosting the game. Publicity photos from the evening also are used by the chamber of commerce.

"It's an ad for the city that money can't buy," said Nick Vehr of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.

Vehr said the Chamber was pleased with how the city came off on the national broadcast, even without a fully lit Great American Ball Park. "The city looked beautiful," Vehr said, "and I understand the very real costs associated with (turning on) the tower lights."

Bengals officials declined comment.

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