The Lions are "raising ticket prices" for the fourth consecutive season, according to Dave Birkett of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. The Lions said that ticket prices "increased an average of 2.8% to about $99 per ticket, which ranks in the bottom half of the NFL." Last year, the Lions "raised ticket prices an average of 7.8% coming off a 7-9 season." Lions President Rod Wood "indicated last spring that ticket prices would go up again this year." While many seats "did not see an increase in price and some actually declined," the Lions "raised prices on many of their most expensive tickets" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/11). In Michigan, Kyle Meinke noted the overall increase of 2.8% is a "four-year low." Tickets "most affected by the increase will be for premium seats, including clubs, suites and other high-value locations, including seats near the fronts of sections and midfield" (MLIVE.com, 2/10).
STAYING PUT: In Minneapolis, Matt Vensel noted the Vikings have "informed season ticket holders that season ticket prices will stay flat" for the upcoming season (STARTRIBUNE.com, 2/10). In St. Paul, Brian Murphy wrote the Vikings have "50,000 full season ticket holders, plus another 5,000 who purchased 10-game packages without securing" PSLs. Vikings Exec Dir of Communications Jeff Anderson said that the team is "talking about reintroducing two-, four- and eight-game packages" it sold in the past (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 2/11).
PENCILS DOWN: In Chicago, Steve Rosenbloom noted Bears President & CEO Ted Phillips last week "sent a letter to Bears season-ticket holders to inform them of a price-hike following a 3-13 season." The letter "came less than a week" after the Chicago Tribune's "wonderfully conceived and executed eight-page special report on the Bears' 'Decade of Decline' that delineated the franchise's death spiral from the Super Bowl to the third pick in the upcoming draft" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/10).
