Rays Fans Are Pitiful for Failing to Fill Stadium Even With Promotions and Threat of Losing Team
Tampa Bay has struggled to fill its stadium for years now, consistently churning out the some of the lowest attendance statistics in the MLB. Apparently, not even a threat of moving the team could get fans to the games.
The Rays recent attendance hasn't changed much after the team owner expressed interest in moving the team to Montreal for half of the season. Not even $2 tickets could help fill Tropicana Field.
Rays are averaging 15,646 in attendance over their first 4-games back since Stuart Sternberg announced idea of splitting time between Tampa Bay and Montreal. That's an average increase of 1,003 fans, boosted by $2 tickets last night.
— Kevin ODonnell Fox13 (@ODonnellFox13) July 2, 2019
The combination of a threat to move the team and pretty much dishing out tickets for free only increased the average attendance by 1,000. Forget about this part-time idea -- take the team to Montreal full-time.
To make things worse, the Rays are in the thick of things in the AL wild card race. The team can't even get fans to come watch good baseball.
Tonight's attendance for #Rays-#MnTwins, with a $7.11 ticket special, at the Trop, bringing some energy to the ballpark: 14,375
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 1, 2019
Yeah, that's not gonna work if $2 tickets didn't.
The only team with a worse average attendance this year are the Marlins, who are seemingly outnumbered by high school JV crowds each night.
The MLB's average attendance is down this season, but Tampa Bay's lack of fan support has been consistent for years, even dating back to its 2008 World Series run.
Close the deal and send the team to Montreal for good.