OnlyBucs

2015 the Bucs averaged 30,846

2016 the Bucs averaged 28,112

2017 the Bucs average 23,422



If the team doesn't win I don't expect the 2017 attendance to improve much if at all.

There goes our financial flexibility.

watch the fans get blamed.

And then we'll start another cycle of "When the fans support us, it will allow us to increase payroll."



I really believe they have their direction of causality wrong.

5B5C4A424C5B1C10694E44484045074A4644290 wrote: watch the fans get blamed. 


They won't but it's a fun talking point.



Still, it's a real hit to the team. I wish the MLB TV situation would become more like the other leagues.

6D5F53534775565F5257585F3E0 wrote: watch the fans get blamed. 


They won't but it's a fun talking point. 



Still, it's a real hit to the team.  I wish the MLB TV situation would become more like the other leagues.


I don't like being on "this side of the fence" but the FO has shown a willingness to blame the fans since the spring of 2016.  Sad but absolutely true.



I should add - for the first few years the FO encouraged fans to participate a bit better and then payroll would respond. The fans kept coming and setting records. Then all of a sudden in the spring of 2016 the narrative changed to "when we support the Pirates like _____ then the Pirates will spend more." This has been repeated by the FO. Doesn't seem to matter that the Pirate fans responded in ## that blew KC or Cleveland or whatever away.



Tis true. :'(

313620282631767A03242E222A2F6D202C2E430 wrote: watch the fans get blamed. 


They won't but it's a fun talking point. 



Still, it's a real hit to the team.  I wish the MLB TV situation would become more like the other leagues.


I don't like being on "this side of the fence" but the FO has shown a willingness to blame the fans since the spring of 2016.  Sad but absolutely true.



I should add - for the first few years the FO encouraged fans to participate a bit better and then payroll would respond.  The fans kept coming and setting records.  Then all of a sudden in the spring of 2016 the narrative changed to "when we support the Pirates like _____ then the Pirates will spend more."  This has been repeated by the FO.  Doesn't seem to matter that the Pirate fans responded in ## that blew KC or Cleveland or whatever away.



Tis true.  :'( 
There was also an unconfirmed report this year that NH was directed to reduce 2017 payroll because 2016 attendance was down.

I see things being worse next year. Salaries are going up. They will have to spend more to stay even, or trade more of the higher salary players and go with more of a rookie laden team

Attendance always reflects the season before. Next year will probably be worse for sure.

Last nights attendance was 24,988 which in my opinion for a Friday night in July against the Cards is very sad. Yes the Bucs have had a very up and down season and two of their better players have  either been suspended  or cannot get a work visa. Now there is talk that they may move Cutch or Cole by the end of the month. I understand they don't have the deep pockets as the Yanks, Dodgers and Cubs etc but maybe Bob Nutting should decide he better begin spending a little more money in order to retain some of his stars before attendance really hits rock bottom.Finally as I watched the players hugged Bell after his walk off homer last night I wondered how many more seasons we will have him since he is a Boras client. It is sad that a fan has to think about that after a big win from a division rival.