A lot of people got their panties in a bunch about the comment I made pertaining to the blackouts and Bengals fans being “fair-weather fans.” Some people even resorted to childish name calling and ad hominem attacks because they couldn’t formulate their own fact-based argument. Allow me to do so, but first let me preface this by saying; no one is calling any of you fair-weather fans. Based off the simple fact that you are on this website commenting on the articles confirms that you are probably obsessed with the Bengals just like me. The accusations I’m making are aimed at Bengals fans as a whole, therefore, un-bunch your panties and continue reading…
I made the argument that the lackluster attendance at Bengals games this year is due to Bengals fans being fair-weather fans that jump on and off the bandwagon at their own convenience. People were quick to point out all the obvious factors such as Mike Brown being a weeny and the poop ridden economy. For sake of argument I’m going to throw out the Mike Brown factor because we’ve hated him for years and that has always been a constant and will continue to be a constant for a lot longer than any of us care to think about.
Now allow me to debunk the economy/financial excuse. Prepare to be Geno Atkins sacked with economic data!!!!!!!!
There is no doubt the economy is horrible, however, it is horrible just about everywhere. Below is a sample of seven NFL cities and the NFL Average – (all four AFC North, the defending champ Packers, and then I chose Atlanta and Tennessee since they are similar teams in record and current playoff standing). The per capita income refers to the state where the team plays, the FCI is a data field “Team Marketing Research” created to illustrate the average price a family of four would spend on going to an NFL game at each city – it includes the ticket prices, parking, various concession stand, merchandise, etc. Lastly, is the average attendance so far this season. Based on these statistics there is no way to make an intelligent argument that the economy is the reason attendance has been dismal. Just look at Atlanta whose inhabitants make roughly $2,000 less each year pay only $17 less to go to a game but fill their stadium on average by 20,000 more each game.
City |
Per Capita Income ($) |
FCI ($) |
Attendance |
Atlanta |
34,800 |
378.37 |
69,144 |
Tennessee |
34,955 |
367.79 |
69,143 |
Cincinnati |
36,180 |
395.15 |
49,619 |
Cleveland |
36,180 |
332.02 |
65,515 |
Green Bay |
38,177 |
415.83 |
70,541 |
Pittsburgh |
40,579 |
419.28 |
63,907 |
Baltimore |
49,070 |
486.19 |
71,253 |
Average NFL |
39,945 |
420.54 |
67,399 |
The only reason left to explain the poor attendance is the fans. I present to you… The Fair-weather Fan Index (just coined it). It is income minus FCI divided by attendance. Guess who is on top!!!
City |
Per Capita Income |
FCI |
Attendance |
Fair-weather Fan Index |
Atlanta |
34,800 |
378.37 |
69,144 |
0.50 |
Tennessee |
34,955 |
367.79 |
69,143 |
0.50 |
Cincinnati |
36,180 |
395.15 |
49,619 |
0.72 |
Cleveland |
36,180 |
332.02 |
65,515 |
0.55 |
Green Bay |
38,177 |
415.83 |
70,541 |
0.54 |
Pittsburgh |
40,579 |
419.28 |
63,907 |
0.63 |
Baltimore |
49,070 |
486.19 |
71,253 |
0.68 |
Average NFL |
39,945 |
420.54 |
67,399 |
0.59 |
Before some of you go on a maniac rampage of hatred and rage just remember this is not directed at most of you. I will continue being a diehard Bengals hooligan for the rest of my life regardless, and I hope the same goes for you. I would just like to shed some light on the bandwagon fans that give a bad name to our great city and tarnish our up-and-coming football team. Who-Dey!?!?!