Wouldnt be an interesting board if we kept opinions to ourselves. In your case you're a long time fan, so I'm sorry for the generalization as it relates to you. But I do find it amazing how people have crept out of nowhere. That team was drawing 10,000 a game and now we have to hear about what great fans they are. Lets not forget that team has been bankrupt a few times. it just seems that team gets luck with great draft positions, drafts a superstar and becomes good. But history has shown each time they become bad again you cant give away tickets.
I use to go to 10-15 games a year, even when Jagr was the Captain
, but know with having a family I just can't afford it. Just because someone doesn't shell out tons of money, doesn't mean they aren't fans.
Look at the Pirates now, the owners are cheap, they wont spend money because they are making a profit. Well if fans want a change, they have to stop paying to go to games. If the owners don't want to put a competitive team on the field, then why should I give them my money. People who continue to go to the games shouldn't complain about the team, they are the reason the team is like it is. If they stop going, the owners will have to put a competitive team on the field to get fans in to make money, or they will have to sell the team.
The lure of PNC Park, bobble heads and fireworks shouldn't be the only reason to bring in fans.
Now because I don't want to give them my money, doesn't mean I'm a fan, IMHO I'm one of their biggest fans, because I want them to change and become the team that they once were. Now fans in Tampa Bay are lousy fans, the team is winning, and they still don't show up.