The Growth Of The Fan Base

November 12th, 2012

Flashback to 2010, the young Bucs were cruising with a 7-4 record and the 9-1, division-rival Falcons were in Tampa for a December clash with a premier 4:15 p.m kickoff. This was a huge game in the playoff chase, got plenty of advance national attention, and attendance was 53,955.

Yet yesterday’s attendance of 54,813 against San Diego was better. And Joe can assure readers there were no significant numbers of Chargers fans in the house.

So what’s changed?

Is it love for the New Schiano Order? Is it cheaper tickets now available in many sections? Was it dislike of Raheem Morris? Was it the Bucs checking in that season with a paltry payroll? Was it something else?

Interestingly, the Bucs now have a chance to go to 6-4 next week and come home to face the Falcons, who likely will be 9-1. Their game likely will be a nearly identical scenario to the clash in 2010. But will it draw more fans and show tangible growth of the fan base?

Joe’s given up predicting this kind of thing. But it will be a number worth watching.

26 Responses to “The Growth Of The Fan Base”

  1. HighNtight Says:

    6-4 buddy

  2. stimpy Says:

    Its winning!

  3. Justin Says:

    God, this Panthers game has trap written all over it. I wouldnt be surprised to see the young Bucs take a step back on the road. Im praying I am wrong.

  4. Ian's Gay Lisp & Ron's Drinking Problem Says:

    Yesterday was Veteran’s Day….could the CHEAP Glazer Children spend an extra dollar and get an ACTUAL Military Flyover…..instead of the SAME COAST GUARD plane EVERY GAME, (it’s the little things that the fans want YOU CHEAP IDIOTS! !!!!!!!!!!!!)-

  5. Tommy Boy Says:

    Trap games happen because the team that is supposed to win relaxes and doesnt prepare as they should. Schiano won’t let that happen. To a man, he has them all out-preparing themselves each week. I believe in this team. I hope fringe fans start believing as well so we can start selling out games and letting the entire NFL know that the Bucs are no longer the whipping boy and Ray J is not a friendly place.

  6. FlBoy84 Says:

    Funny moment during the game when the guy 2nd from the right in the photo broke out dancing on the jumbotron since it was military appreciation day at the game. Crowd went nuts.

    @Justin, agree that there’s the fear of a letdown, hope coach keeps them in check.

  7. Tommy Boy Says:

    The post above mine is the most pointless non-important post I have ever read on this site. The Glazers and Buc organization did an amazing job at the stadium yesterda supporting iur military.

  8. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    I don’t think the Glazer’s could afford a fly over. I believe they are subject to what ever is available at MacDill or a Coast Guard plane.

    Taxpayers pay for those incredibly expensive shows of force. Pretty soon, there will be drone flyovers.

  9. OAR Says:

    Too bad the men (and women) in helmets fighting for our country, don’t make a third of what the men in helmets fighting for a football make!

  10. OAR Says:

    God Bless all the military services!

  11. lightningbuc Says:

    Gay Lisp,

    So the Coast Guard isn’t “actual military”? Why don’t you ask their members if they think that? You obviously haven’t been to too many games this year, because they’ve had flyovers of various types of planes. You’re an idiot!

  12. BigMacAttack Says:

    Ian, first I find your screen name Classless and needlessly offensive.

    Flyovers are awesome, however they come. You have no idea what you are talking about either. Tell any USCG that he is anything less than any other serviceman when he is approaching a drug running boat off Columbia, that could be heavily armed and he has little to protect himself. There is very little cover at sea. I bet your little punka$$ has never been on a ship and would probably puke for days in the calmest of seas. Living and working on ship is no cake walk and if very much confining. Ride a ship or vessel through a Hurricane and you’ll have even more respect. I promise you it isn’t fun being on a 40′ boat in 30′ seas. Your best friend is a Bible, I promise. The Sea is relentless and will humble the strongest of men.

    When you insult any branch of the service, you insult all of them, those there now, and those of us who came before.

    Why don’t you get out of your parents house and get a real job, Couch Sailor.

  13. OAR Says:

    BigMac
    Amen brother!

  14. Patrick Says:

    We’re bi-winning! We’re winning here and we’re winning there!

  15. BucKing 3 Says:

    BigMac, well said. I was at the game and it seemed all the Military personnel had a great time (which was noted on the screen with the dancing soldier). At halftime there we over 150 men and womawomen who were being sworn into different branches of the Armed Forces and that was pretty spectacular. Attendance is definitely going up. At the home opener four of us made the trip. Yesterday we went with seven and met a few more at the game. People are starting to get excited about Bucs football again. Go Bucs!

  16. BucKing 3 Says:

    BigMac, well said. I was at the game and it seemed all the Military personnel had a great time (which was noted on the screen with the dancing soldier). At halftime there we over 150 men and womawomen who were being sworn into different branches of the Armed Forces and that was pretty spectacular. Attendance is definitely going up. At the home opener four of us made the trip. Yesterday we went with seven and met a few more at the game. People are starting to get excited about Bucs football again. Go Bucs!

  17. pseamus Says:

    One game at a time, like Tommy Boy says. The Panthers are a team that have the ability to jump up on you quick if you get last on defense. I am not that worried about our offense scoring points anymore but we can’t let our defense stay on the field all day like we did against San Diego

  18. Stanglassman Says:

    It’s the Economy, stupid, To coin a phase. It’s showing signs of life and people are starting to feel more confident to spend money. I know that’s why my family and friends went yesterday.

  19. Nic Says:

    I see the same issue with attendance when ATL comes to town. I’ll use myself as an example, I will wait to see if the game sells out, and if not I will buy some tickets. I don’t have the money to go to all 8, so if it’s going to be on TV I want to save my money and go to one that isn’t. I know it sounds stupid but I guarantee others are doing the same. For this reason I don’t see the game selling out by the Thursday deadline and when the blackout is announced there will be another mad scramble for tickets.

  20. CanadianBucsFan Says:

    Happy to see the fan base growing down there in Tampa. I wish there was a bigger Buc fan base here in Canada Ontario, I honestly dont know a single Buc fan here. One of the reasons I like talking Buc ball with you Americans.

  21. espo Says:

    Any flyover is a treat. I won’t complain about the coast guard for a second. I’m thankful for what they do and for them entertaining us before the game. I do wish we could get jets like we used to though. They were pretty badass. I don’t know if the Glazers have anything to do with it. I thought the entire game’s presentation did well in honoring armed forces members past and present.

  22. FloridaGirl Says:

    Chalk it up to a winning team. The economy is what it is, but people are much more apt to pay their money to see a team that will at least be competitive. Let’s remember that the win yesterday resulted in the team having a winning record for the first time in over a year and a half. Winning solves a lot of problems.

  23. Mike J Says:

    The Tenn.-Miami game was on up here, & there were a ton of empty seats. Maybe a soccer match would have drawn better….

  24. BigMacAttack Says:

    Again, sorry for the rant. I was slightly perturbed.

    On another note. I love C130’s and it is a mighty fine aircraft. Marines have had a love affair with those birds for over 50 years. Every time I see one, I develop a hard on. You can hear them coming with a very distinct sound of its own, much like a Huey or a CH53. I still come running out of the house when they fly by just to see. My wife just shakes her head and laughs at me. A C130 is like home and I love her dearly.

  25. Pete Dutcher Says:

    It isn’t much of a difference in attendance. Only 858 seats.

  26. Ladyz Says:

    Big Mac, thank you for your eloquence with Ivan. Those of us who have worn our nations uniform takes great humbredge at his insults. Thanks also to the rest of you that stood up to that punck!
    I’m looking to another good game next Sunday by our “new” Buccaneer Men!