After the 2008 season, a very disappointing 6-10 campaign, and in the earliest plunge of the nationwide recession, the Green Bay Packers said they would be giving season ticket holders a break by holding the line on prices.   A successful 11-5, NFC Wild Card playoff season later, the Packers announced today ticket costs are going up, between 8 and 11 dollars a seat, per game.                                                 

In a letter to season ticket holders, President/CEO Mark Murphy said, "It was a difficult decision to reach, in light of recent economic conditions, but after much consideration we felt it was necessary for the competitiveness of the franchise. The new pricing strengthens our ability to be competitive both on and off the field with teams in larger markets.  With the future landscape regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement unknown, teams will be even more competitive in terms of generating revenue.  The increased revenue will allow us to focus financial resources on supporting a successful football team, our number one goal."

The Packers claim in the past three years, the average stadium bowl ticket price fell to 30th among 32 NFL teams, putting Green Bay in a disadvantageous position, especially considering it's a publicly owned franchise.  The first ticket price hike since 2007 will now have fans paying 83 dollars a seat between the 20 yard lines, other sideline seats will go up to 73 and end zone tickets will cost 67 dollars.  Suite tickets are also getting bumped by 11 dollars a game.  Comparing sideline seat costs to other teams in the NFC North, the Packers say similar tickiets run 90 dollars in Detroit, 108 in Chicago and 117 in Minnesota.

The economic times are still pretty tough in Wisconsin, but with a team inching back toward championship contention, and a season ticket waiting list at least a generation long, Packers fans will likely grin and bear the new cost of being a "cheeshead".