Yep, that time of year again when the ol' season ticket renewal notice arrives. It usually arrives about the same time that I'm also dealing with Uncle Sam looking for a handout.

Now let me make it crystal clear that despite the history of price hikes that I'm about to give you, I still consider the Vikings ticket to be one of the most economical in town for entertainment bang for the buck.

Time for your history lesson.

Back in the 1993-94 NFL season, I paid $25 a ticket for four season tickets in section 201. My total package price for these four season tickets in the upper bowels of the Metrodome was $1000.

For the 1994-95 NFL season, I was moved up to section 101 in the end-zone. That's where I am today except that then I was in row seven and today I'm in row one. In any event, I had to dish out an extra $4 per seat for those four season tickets. A decision that took me about 15-seconds to decide upon. Total package price sky-rocketed to $1160 for four prime season tickets.

Reflecting back on those prices I realize those days are long gone and never to be seen again. The prices really started to sky-rocket when ol' Red McCombs decided to raise prices again and again and again.

Before we discuss the latest rate hike under the Wilf's, let's look at some more history for further perspective on this matter.

When prices started to rise and we had to make some tough financial decisions, I decreased the number of season tickets I was holding from four to two. This was not a decision made lightly and I often regret doing it. But the extra money afforded did allow my wife and I to attend other entertainment venues offered by the Twin Cities such as the Minnesota Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Gotta spread the wealth, ya know. But let's return to the history and the math.

For the 1996-97 NFL season, I paid $33 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $660.

For the 1997-98 NFL season, I paid $37 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $740.

For the 1998-98 NFL season, I paid $37 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $740. That's right. Prices actually held. But that was just before Red McCombs purchased the team. And that's where things really got interesting.

For the 1999-00 NFL season, I paid $45 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $900. An $8 per seat (17.7%) increase over the year before and largest yearly increase during my 12-year tenure as a Vikings season ticket holder. My salary increase that year was 3.8%.

For the 2000-01 NFL season, I paid $48.50 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $970. That one wasn't too bad to swallow but one would have thought that after a hefty $8 per seat increase that perhaps no increase was warranted? But wait, it got even better for Red the Menace.

For the 2001-02 NFL season, I paid $53 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $1060. A $4.50 (8.4%) per seat increase. My salary increase that year was 4.2%. And keep in mind that just 10-years earlier I was getting four, not two, season tickets for that price. And Red wasn't about to stop there.

For the 2002-03 NFL season, I paid $58 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $1160. A $5 (8.6%) per seat increase. My salary increase that year was 4.5%.

For the 2003-04 NFL season, I paid $62 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $1060. A $4 (6.4%) per seat increase. My salary increase that year was 4.2%.

For the 2004-05 NFL season, I paid $64 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $1280. A $2 (3.1%) per seat increase. My salary increase last year was 4.0%. Wow! I actually kept pace with ticket inflation!

For the 2005-06 NFL season, I paid $71 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $1420. A $7 (9.9%) per seat increase. My salary increase this year will be a meager 4.2%.

For the 2006-07 NFL season, I again paid $71 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $1420 as the Wilf's held the line. Amazing for a team ranked thirty-second in revenue in the NFL. That was appreciated.

Now for the latest and, ahem, greatest. Drum roll, please Maestro.

For the 2007-08 NFL season, I will pay $74 a ticket for two season tickets for a total package price of $1480. A mild 4% which will probably hold line with whatever my salary increase will be. That's not bad considering the fact the team has a blossoming star in Adrian Peterson, a exciting field of home opponents, and the aforementioned team revenue issue.

I still have reason to groan. Since first purchasing season tickets in 1993 for $25 a seat per game my cost has risen almost 66%. Using this inflation calculator, what did cost me $25 per seat in 1993 should only have risen to $36.52 per seat in 2007. Recall that I will be at $74 per seat for 2007.

Had my salary grown to 66% during this same period, my wife wouldn't have to work. Heady numbers indeed!

How 'bout you? Did you get your notice? Any huge price increase? Will you renew? When will enough be enough? Leave a comment.

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Posted by briankeithmaas@msn.com at February 13, 2008 01:01 AM