Staff report
The Bears may be getting a competitive break by hosting the lightly regarded Seahawks in their Sunday playoff game, but the matchup against Seattle (8-9) isn't generating much action for ticket brokers who typically cash in on postseason excitement.
"We've been dropping our prices basically for the past couple of days," Paul Brown, owner of AAA Tickets in Chicago, told the Seattle Times. "We would have had a stronger market if we had gotten the Saints and the Eagles. The Seahawks matchup is the weakest of the three."
Kurt Soderholm of FrontRowChicago.com told Greg Jarrett of WGN-AM 720 (click here for the full interview) that tickets are selling for pretty much what they cost for a regular-season game, in the $150-to-$500 range.
Soderholm cited a lack of "frenzy" over a game in which the Bears are a 10-point favorite, and the fact that it shares the weekend sports spotlight with Saturday night's Heat vs. Bulls matchup, which is a tougher ticket to get due to smaller inventory for games at the United Center. Prices for the first visit of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade & Co. range from $150 for "cheap" seats to $2,500-$3,000 for courtside, he said.
The Bears may be getting a competitive break by hosting the lightly regarded Seahawks in their Sunday playoff game, but the matchup against Seattle (8-9) isn't generating much action for ticket brokers who typically cash in on postseason excitement.
"We've been dropping our prices basically for the past couple of days," Paul Brown, owner of AAA Tickets in Chicago, told the Seattle Times. "We would have had a stronger market if we had gotten the Saints and the Eagles. The Seahawks matchup is the weakest of the three."
Kurt Soderholm of FrontRowChicago.com told Greg Jarrett of WGN-AM 720 (click here for the full interview) that tickets are selling for pretty much what they cost for a regular-season game, in the $150-to-$500 range.
Soderholm cited a lack of "frenzy" over a game in which the Bears are a 10-point favorite, and the fact that it shares the weekend sports spotlight with Saturday night's Heat vs. Bulls matchup, which is a tougher ticket to get due to smaller inventory for games at the United Center. Prices for the first visit of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade & Co. range from $150 for "cheap" seats to $2,500-$3,000 for courtside, he said.
So, the ticket brokers don't have enough of a corner on the market, now they get the Tribune to give them free advertising?
Call them now. I bet the prices are higher than this article quotes.
That is because the Bears are 10 pt favorites, and we believe that there will be another game! Go Bears!
You reap what you sow...
Surprised Greg Jarrett was the interviewer as he wouldn't know his left hand from right hand, him being a die-hard 49ers fan.
Ticket brokers are vermin....scum of the earth.
It's sad that they have the angles to get their slimey hands on the tickets and prevent real fans from going to the game.
I hope every broker takes a beating on this game.
MarkRG is still smarting from the SuperSonics losing to the Bulls in the NBA Finals and the Bears knocking the Seahawks out of the playoffs in 2007.
He's from a town where they lost an NBA team to Ok City. What's he know?
Mike S
Lazy-boy recliner, table full of munchies and a fridge full of beer in a nice warm house.
And a beautiful wife to comfort me if they happen to lose.......I'll stay at home thank you.
Football's the rare sport where it's probably better to watch it in a good sports bar for free. Unless you have really good seats or are very knowledgeable, it's difficult to get a good grasp on what's going on. The game moves very fast and, without commentary and replay, you miss a lot. Plus, it's freakin' freezing in January, meaning it will be extra hard to focus on the game. Even if someone gave me seats for Sunday, I'd probably still watch it at the local pub.
It's about time the brokers felt the heat. They have been overcharging Chicago fans since the beginning of time and making it impossible for a family to go to a sporting event. I could careless about the Brokers and the fact they are "feeling the heat".
10 point favaorites isn't enough. Should be more like 20. Hawks are too soft.
10 point favaorites isn't enough. Should be more like 20. Hawks are too soft.
Wait to see what they charge next week if its the Bears / Packers at soldier field.
The Hawks will Crash the lazy Bear, 10 point Fav, you gota be kidding me!! Go Hawks!!!!!!
if given free tickets i would not go. i'm going to the tavern.
Chicago Bears are one of the highest price tickets around, even when they're not winning. Anyplace else you can get tickets for $50-$75. For tickets to the Bears you have to pay $300 plus--for nosebleed seats. It's a horrible game everyone is playing with the fans and it doesn't surprise me that people just can't pony up a grand for a ticket. I love the Bears, but I'll have to keep loving them from my living room.
I have nothing to say, but like everyone else here, will say something anyway.
Yes, I have to agree with Sally Ride: the Bears will falter, yet again, to the mediocre Seahawks!
sitting in soldier field in 20 degree weather versus sitting at home?brokers are shysters.hope they gave to eat the unsold tickets.
People in Seattle might say to themselves "wow, I can fly to Chicago and then get a $5 ticket to the playoff game."
Everyone's saving their money for Pack/Bears game.
This will all be moot when the Bears lose to the Seahawks. Yes, that's right. Cutler & company will melt down yet again, wait and see. You know it's true!
Saw thousands of available tix on stubhub. Hard to believe after being out of playoffs since 2006, fans wouldnt be overjoyed to see them regardless of who they are playing. I never thought I would see this day when Bear fans stay home. Getting soft.
How is it that scalping tickets outside a stadium is illegal but yet these guys do the exact same thing on-line? I hope they get stuck with the tickets.
Ohhhh, the brokers are taking "heat". The poor brokers, boo-fricking-wooo! This makes me sick. They rip the public off all year by overpricing tickes they get at FACE VALUE. A 150% mark-up isn't enough? Get real and get a real job. Anyone that has ever met a broker knows that A.) they don't have an education, and B.)they are sleezy, fat, glorified drug dealers.
MarkRG do you have a television?
Last time the Bears were in the playoffs they won all of their games at Soldier Field and went to the Super Bowl.
If somehow you were trying to say that somehow recent baseball playoff failures would prevent demand for Bears tickets, you should seek professional mental therapy...as well as a new TV.
The Seahawks are going to CRUSH the Beloved. Something like 38 - 13. Evil Jay will rear his ungly head once again.
Am I supposed to feel bad that brokers can't scalp tickets?
Hey MarkRG - Check out the 2005 White Sox playoff record.....They are tied for the best single season playoff record in the history of MLB.
What ??
track record of other Chicago teams in their playoff seasons
Remember the BlackHawks ??
Bite your tongue, MarkRG
I live out of state and it would be nice to pay less considering the travel involved.
Also, considering the track record of other Chicago teams in their playoff seasons, there is the distinct possibility they could be embarrassingly defeated.