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February 6, 2009
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Winds Of Change: Bears Freeze Ticket Prices For Next Season

Amusement Tax Increase Means
Bears Will Get Less Ticket Revenue
The Bears have "decided to freeze ticket prices" for next season, marking the "first time since after the 2000 season that the Bears haven't hiked ticket prices in at least some form," according to Brad Biggs of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The move means the club "actually will collect less ticket revenue during the 2009 season than in 2008 because the city has raised the amusement tax" from 8% to 9%. The Bears are the "first of the major professional teams" in Chicago to announce a hold on ticket prices. Biggs notes the freeze "will not affect the budget that [GM] Jerry Angelo will work with when free agency begins in three weeks," as Bears President & CEO Ted Phillips Thursday promised that the freeze "wouldn't affect football operations or the Bears' ability to pursue free agents" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/6). Phillips: "Could we have raised prices and probably gotten pretty good response? We probably could have. But this is the right thing to do, given the economy. We feel good about doing it" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/6). CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS’ Ed Sherman writes, "Obviously, this is a nice gesture by the Bears. ...  A little goodwill goes a long way these days" (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 2/6)

HOLDING THE LINE: In Boston, Mike Reiss reports the Patriots have informed season-ticket holders that they are "keeping all 2009 prices the same as last season." The Patriots historically have "raised ticket prices every 3-4 years," and the last increase came in '08 (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/6). Meanwhile, the Celtics Thursday announced that "season-ticket balcony and loge prices will not be increased next season" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/6).


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