The Blackhawks have "raised the price of tickets for those with season plans" an average of 8% for the '12-13 season, according to Chris Kuc of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The increases "occur across all price tiers." The cheapest 300-level seats jump from $24 per game to $28, while the "most expensive in the Private Bank Platinum Seats" go from $320 to $335. The 8% average increase "pales in comparison with an average jump" of 16% in '08. Blackhawks President & CEO John McDonough said that prices were set by himself, Exec VP Jay Blunk, VP/Ticket Operations & Customer Relations Chris Werner and Chair Rocky Wirtz. McDonough said, "We've been in the bottom half of ticket pricing in the National Hockey League for many, many years. Recently we've just kind of crept up to the top half of that." McDonough "links the increase to upgrading the roster." Kuc reported the Blackhawks have had a 99% "renewal rate the last two seasons and have a waiting list in excess" of 10,000 for season tickets. The club's home attendance is "on pace to lead the NHL in per-game average for the fourth consecutive season." Counting regular season and playoffs, the team has played in front of 186 "consecutive home sellouts, a franchise record" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/1).
