The Chicago Bears announced that they will be raising ticket prices for the 2013 season an average of 4.2%.   Here’s what was posted on the Bears website:

Price increases range from $3 to $10 for 90 percent of the seating bowl, with some United Club seats remaining flat. Lower-level mid-field seating price increases range from $15 to $30. The overall average increase for 2013 season tickets is 4.2 percent.

Non-club season ticket prices now range from $79 to $165 and account for approximately 85 percent of the seating at Soldier Field. United Club season tickets range from $265 to $540. Season ticket holders will continue to see a $25 per game savings for each regular season ticket as compared to the individual game price.

The Bears will host the World Champion Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys and Giants in addition to their usual matchups with NFC North rivals the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.  The official schedule is expected to be released in April.

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!