As expected, the Bears announced a hike in ticket prices in some areas of Soldier Field on Friday, marking the eighth time in the last nine years the franchise has raised prices in some form.

There will be no price increase for approximately 25 percent of the seats, the team said, with those seats being in the 400 level and the west grandstand. Non-club seat increases range from $2 to $17, and club seats will be raised from $10 to $20 per ticket.  The Bears non-club ticket prices now range from $68 to $125 and account for approximately 85 percent of the seating at Soldier Field.

You couldn’t help but see this coming when the Bears management was falling over themselves to apologize to fans for a disappointing season. I did way back last decade.  OK, so what if it was December 30, 2009.

With a work stoppage looming in 2011 the Bears are trying to squirrel away a few extra acorns this season so the McCaskey’s can afford their country club dues next season.  Here’s my idea – no playoffs, no price hikes allowed!