That's a tad misleading don't you think? The teams pulling the low attendance numbers in the USL are by and large MLS2 teams that don't need attendance numbers to keep afloat. The only exception being the OC Blues and they're going under from what I hear (by the way their attendance numbers are VERY close to FTL's).
No doubt about that, but with 2K or 3K crowds Rayo OKC probably loses more than 3 million dollar a year If the Fury (5,406 fans per game) loses 2 million a year, and the Silverbacks (4,024 fans per game) needed 2,5 million from the league to stay afloat, ... Nevertheless I wish all NASL and USL franchises nothing but the best
The OC Blues just got new ownership last month, whose owner has plans for a re-brand and a SSS (as well as staying in Orange County). They're sticking around at least for the immediate future.
Well that's good to hear! I hope they can manage to carve out their niche in that market and give fans something to root for.
They are a USL team so a fair comparison, no need to cherry pick some teams out because that league has chosen to compose itself of reserve, affiliate, and independents, they're all Usl teams. Its like saying don't pay much attention to the Strikers low numbers because their owners are inept by not spending on marketing, getting rid of their outreach, and being one of the very few clubs that announce turnstile numbers this year, etc. The excuse for the low number doesn't change it. But USL's next lowest was by Harrisburg at 227 in attendance, not an MLS reserve team. Arizona, on there 3rd owners in 4 years I think also finished the season poorly with the last few crowds having one at 753, and two just over 800.
The Rowdies for the last two Wednesday games have halved walk-up ticket prices, brought in happy hour specials, and - for at least the 5 Oct game - distributed free tickets to youth clubs to boost turn-out. In return, they gained the ability to announce decent attendance (=tickets distributed?) for each Wednesday game this month. And the actual turnstile count for each turned out to be OK compared to what other teams are drawing on off-nights. Hard to imagine though that these are money-making events.
Good Saturday numbers for the NASL with 4 big crowds with the lone Strikers being the exception unsurprisingly.
Code: Team Season Average(2015) Weekly Total Minnesota United 8744(8767) N/A Indy Eleven 8421(9809) 8916 Tampa Bay Rowdies 5878(5649) 5348\7641 Ottawa Fury 5569(5164) N/A Miami FC 5205 N/A Carolina Railhawks 5115(4539) 8986 New York Cosmos 3775(5062) 5852 Puerto Rico FC 3567 N/A Jacksonville Armada 3428(7927) 1608 Rayo OKC 3388 N/A FC Edmonton 2060(2889) 2705 Ft. Lauderdale Strikers 1343(4471) 1071 Season Average (Mean-Median) Week Average NASL 2016 4682-4347 5265 NASL 2015 5909-5295 Difference -1227 -948 NASL Fall2016 4508 NASL Fall2015 5606 Difference -1098 League Total 2016 833415(178 games) League Total 2015 975000(165 games)
Since the NASL owners had their recent meeting, I've noticed that attendances are up across the board. A neutral could argue that this is just an end-of-the-season bump unrelated to that. An optimist might say that the meeting refocused everyone on community outreach and marketing. A cynic might say that they are papering the numbers to make sure investors are not scared away. Reality could be a combination of the three.