My Friends,

 

Recently I received a refund check from the Bears for the second playoff game they forced me to buy but had little chance to play in Chicago. I say forced because, as some of you may recall, the backside of the invoice came with the threat that failure to purchase tickets for both games would result in termination of the PSL agreement, a costly omission to say the least.

 

There was some debate when I approached the bank teller to cash the check, as there was what looked like the customary ‘void after 60 days’ disclaimer beneath the signature. However, there appeared to be a decimal in front of the ‘60’, meaning I had let the 14+ hours to cash the check lapse without exercising my right to redeem. I argued that the check was dated two days before I received it and I couldn’t have possibly beat the 14 hour window, but the teller wouldn’t listen. Finally, a manager was summoned, and using her sculptured nail she scraped off a bit of food, later determined to be crusted aspic from the Miser’s lunch which had found its way to the exact spot in front of the ’60,’ and the teller gave me my cash.

 

OK, maybe that didn’t really happen, but given recent events you have to wonder how far the McCaskey family will go to gouge their faithful followers. To wit, the Bears have announced that ticket prices are going up for every seat in Soldier Field after a ‘successful’ season that included as many playoff wins as the 4-12 packers. Prices will go up by $5 for 60% of the seats, with the highest-priced non-club ticket rising by ten bucks to a cool $95. If we assume that the average increase for a spot in the 61,500 seat Soldier Field will be at least $7, this equates to an additional $4.3 million in annual revenue flowing into the McCaskey family coffers. Considering the fact that almost the entire east side of the stadium is comprised of club seats and luxury suites which will each go for in excess of $225 per copy, it’s probably conservative to estimate that annual ticket revenue alone will be north of $65 million.

 

Admittedly these are rough, back of the envelope estimates, but the price increase is particularly galling when viewed in the context of the improved $117 million the Bears will receive in annual TV revenue.  That’s up $42 million from the $75 million paid annually on the deal that expired after last season. Throw in another million for the radio rights, $2M for parking ($350 minimum x 5600 spots), and whatever they get from concessions, their local WMAQ-TV deal and their share of NFL merchandise and you have to wonder how clan McCaskey manages to keep themselves clothed and fed.

 

It’s no wonder Gene Upshaw is insisting upon 60% of revenues in the new collective bargaining agreement.

 

Then again, if the players and owners can’t find common ground before the current contract runs out after the 2007 season, maybe the McCaskeys and their brethren will lock out the union, and we can pay the new prices (guaranteed to be up from this increase) to watch replacement scabs parade as NFL players just like in 1987.

 

At least Virginia and her progeny won’t have to worry about new tires for the Vista Cruiser, which should be rolling any day now.

 

 

LBF

3/2/2006