Forbes: Cubs, White Sox Tickets Already Going For More On Secondary Market
(CBS) Fans of Chicago's winter sports teams find themselves shell shocked in the aftermath of the injury news about superstars Derrick Rose and Patrick Kane, but whatever dark cloud that is hovering above the United Center may be lifting once Chicago's summer sports teams -- the White Sox and Cubs -- start their season in April.
Already, the excitement is palpable for both teams.
Using data available from the secondary ticket market, Forbes showed that ticket prices for both teams are on the rise.
The Cubs' opener on April 5 against the Cardinals, which will be featured on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, has an average ticket price of $286.06, according to Forbes, with a get-in price of $84 on the secondary market.
In a Crosstown Classic game of interest, tickets for Cubs-White Sox on Aug. 15 at U.S. Cellular Field are going for $347.40 with a get-in price of $36, according to Forbes.
After both teams finished with identical 73-89 records last season, they each had successful offseasons to get fans buzzing.
The Cubs' rebuilding plan was accelerated when the team landed former Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon this offseason. Maddon is regarded as one of the best managers in the game. Combining Maddon's arrival with a bevy of young talent -- none more promising than Kris Bryant -- and the acquisition of ace lefty Jon Lester, and the Cubs may be closer to contention than they anticipated.
For the White Sox, general manager Rick Hahn seemingly crossed off each of the team's most pressing needs. They acquired a left-handed setup man in Zach Duke, a left-handed bat in Adam LaRoche, top-of-the line right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija in a deal with Oakland, closer David Robertson and outfielder Melky Cabrera.