Quote:
Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor
They may be close in ticket distributed, but they aren’t close to butts in seats. Also the big reason Edmonton’s attendance looks so dreadful is they have been building their brand for 8 years. They have a massive head start on most the other teams.
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In 2017, FCE had an average of 3,408 on the lower end of the NASL, which averaged 4486 per match as a league. Right now they're averaging 3071 in a league that is averaging 4541. Edmonton has also had multiple bad weather game days so far this year, and no canopy to watch (part of the lower attendance).
For reference, Ottawa is an eight-year old franchise, averaging 4500 people per game in USL-C. But they play at TD Place Stadium, a far more advanced facility than Clarke field.
I think you are underestimating how ####ty Clarke Field is, even if it has the capacity for a CPL club. It's a great practice facility, but not good for hosting a professional team with modern expectations from fans.
To be honest, I think FCE surviving as long as they did in Clarke Field is a testimate to how successful that franchise has actually been. That, or the Fath Group is stubborn as hell.
Here is an article too that suggests the CPL is much better economically for FCE, which makes it a far more palatable existence:
https://edmontonsun.com/sports/socce...dmonton-owners