Wait - are you implying some teams aren't doing this? I can't imagine a team trying to get either renovations to their stadium approved or a new stadium outright not doing this. I wonder if there'll be any Minnesota politicians in Carl Pohlard's luxury box.

I'd take Akbar over Daley any day of the week...

My favorite Chicago adlerman:

The Sun-Times is really starting to sound like a far right or far left rag who can't stop ripping the other side every chance they get. They've practically creamed themselves over the ticket-broker "scam", while only casually mentioning that the people really put out by it are other ticket brokers. Those dastardly Cubs are hampering their gouging efforts!

The only really shady thing I think they've done is they're refusing to refund season ticket holders for unused playoff tickets, instead crediting their season ticket account. Doug Pappas explains, or links, anyway.

I might be the only guy in the city who hates the Cubs, but defends their business practices.

Few questions I'd have: 1) Don't teams normally hold some tickets in reserve & distribute them as they see fit? I know they do for players' family & things like that, but do they reserve others to be given out at the discrescion of the team? My hunch would be yea.

In response to Milton Friedman's comments, don't know if there's an ethics code about largest possible gift-giving for aldermen to receive, but if there is the Cubs only have to say they're charging them $35 for a $35 seat. I'm sure the Trib's got good enough lawyers to get around that.

FWIW, looking at the map of Wrigley, I'd say these Upper Box seats the aldermen are getting are in the Upper Deck - anyone know how much Upper Deck seats are going for? Don't get me wrong UD seats at Wrigley are among the best seats in the place, but people who don't know much about the stadium's lay-out are likely driving up the prices of the lower deck seats (heck, in normal times the worst lower deck seats sell for as much as the best upper deck seats).

It's not a gift if you pay face value.

Which is it people? Are they bilking fans by selling tickets above face value, or are they greasing palms by selling tickets at face value? Damned if you do, damned if you don't, I guess.

Cubs fans have the same victim mentality as Red Sox fans. They just think they're victims of the Tribune Company.