Vikings season ticket prices to go up 3 percent

After freezing the prices for many of their season tickets in 2007, the Vikings on Friday announced an average increase of 3 percent for tickets in 2008.

Steve LaCroix, Vikings vice president of sales and marketing, said there was "significant" discussion about the decision.

"You never want to have to raise ticket prices," said LaCroix, pointing out the average increase for NFL tickets in 2007 was 6.5 percent. "This really relates to the Metrodome and the business-related challenges of the venue and the fact there are no club seats. That really puts more pressure on the regular-season tickets."

The Vikings, who haven't made the playoffs since 2004, will still have 11 pricing options for the 10 games (exhibition games included) with the most expensive season ticket costing $1,230, up from $1,160, and the lowest $99 for an obstructed view. Other prices are $1,170, $1,030, $980, $760, $740, $690, $500, $400 and $250.

The Vikings have sold out 104 consecutive home games but needed corporate help on four occasions this season to keep that streak alive. A 3-6 start didn't help, although the team finished 8-8 in Brad Childress' second year as head coach.

"We had a good end to the season," LaCroix said. "We didn't make the playoffs but won five of the last seven. I felt like we ended with the right type of momentum going into the offseason."

LaCroix said increases will vary from $7 per ticket (the three sideline sections on the lower level are going from $116 to $123 per game) to $1. Among the changes: Tickets priced at $19.61 as a tribute to the franchise's first year in Minnesota now will be $25.

The Vikings' 2008 home schedule will include the past two Super Bowl champions, the Giants and Indianapolis, as well as Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Atlanta, Carolina and Houston. Two preseason opponents have yet to be determined.

Dates and times for the regular-season games will be announced in April when the NFL schedule is released. Prices for single-game tickets, which will go on sale this summer, have yet to be set. For more info, call 612-338-4537 or go to www.vikings.com.

Some think the Vikings might part company with Troy Williamson after the 2005 seventh overall pick caught 18 passes in '07. Childress made it clear the receiver is under contract, but this doesn't mean things can't change.

When asked if Williamson's contract was an assurance of anything, Childress said, "I would just tell you it's fluid in the same way you're talking about the quarterback position or who is lining up as all the running backs."

• Childress said he plans to talk to Kansas City coach Herman Edwards this month at the NFL combine about whether their teams will practice against each other this summer.