As I watch the Bears slowly fall apart, I came upon the following article which was on Ed Sherman's Blog from Crain's. Perhaps the Cubs should field their marketing staff as they appear to have something closer to a killer instinct than Zombrano, Lee and Ramirez had in the last six playoff games. The Cubs seem to be employing the same advisers that told Blagojevich that the Senate seat was worth something. Cubs players complain that fans are no longer lovable. Could it be that as fans keep getting squeezed so they expect a win at every home game. This is NOTHING more than adding a $20 charge to all the other fees that fans pay when they purchase a ticket. Will the ticket brokers have the homeless sign up for the Cubs Club just as they have them wait in line for the first day single game tickets go on sale? This is on top of the Cubs raising single game tickets over the winter. With Toyota forecasting its first operating loss in 70 years, troubles in Detroit and numerous stories of consumers not spending as much this year, you have to wonder if all professional sports will see a slow down in 2009. This is not just directed at the Cubs but will many franchises see a slow down in '09. I hope Cub fans enjoy the oppurtunity to pay $249 to get a Cubs Club bumper sticker.



New Cubs Club sure to pack them in

New Cubs Club sure to pack them in
Posted by Ed Sherman at 12/22/2008 7:50 AM CST on Chicago Business
The Cubs have found another way to tap into the insatiable demand to be part of everything at Clark and Addison.
The new revenue stream is a repackaging of their on-line fan club, Cubs Club. Among the goodies for joining are a membership card, Cubs sticker, exclusive e-mails and web content.
And oh yes, there's one more thing: the ability to purchase seats for premium games before they go on sale.
Ding, ding, ding.
Every year in February, you see pictures of crazy fans lined up around Wrigley Field nervously waiting for the ticket windows to open for single-game sales. Now the Cubs are offering those fans a way to beat the cold.
For a fee of $249, the Cubs Club Marquee level gives the member a chance to purchase up to 12 tickets in a special Marquee level pre-sale.
For $129, the Cubs Club Ivy Membership levels allow fans to purchase up to four seats in a special Ivy pre-sale.
Do you think there might be a few fans who will sign up for the first crack at tickets for the White Sox and St. Louis games? It sure beats freezing your tail off or paying premium prices for a ticket broker.
The Cubs easily could sell out their entire season with an unlimited Cubs Club membership, but they are going to set limits to ensure tickets still are available to the general public. Matthew Wszolek, Cubs director for sales and promotions, said the cap would be from 4,000 to 5,000 members at the Ivy and Marquee levels.
"We're not talking about just games in April," Mr. Wszolek said. "You can get a Cubs-Sox ticket through Cubs Club. The value on that alone is considerable."
Yes, it is. It isn't difficult to imagine a number of Cubs Club members will be ticket brokers and/or fans looking to sell tickets to premium games to those brokers and make a quick profit.
"We're aware that possibility exists, but we truly feel this is something that Cubs fans desire, and it's an opportunity we want to provide," Mr. Wszolek said.
There is a cheaper option to join the club if buying tickets isn't a priority. For $19.95, you could receive the standard membership that includes the e-mails and other stuff.
At $129, in addition to being able to buy tickets in advance, Ivy members will have a special gate entrance at Wrigley Field.
If you go for the whole enchilada at $249, you'll get all the goodies plus a special non-game, on-field event for all Marquee members.
"We continuously heard from the fan base, I want as much Cubs content and information as possible," Mr. Wszolek said. "They're looking for more things to be associated with the team. We weren't doing that well enough. We want to give people more access."
Access to those ticket pre-sales will be the big driver here. It should ensure Cubs Club always will be full.