The fans are voting with their pocketbook with regard to flagging interest in the team.
Attendance through 44 home dates is at 838,181. That projects to 1,493,231 for the season and its doubtful they will reach that as the team is sinking like a stone at 29-62. That is down 20% from just last year (the second of bookend 98 loss seasons).
Recent attendance
Year Total attendance Rank Chg from Prev
2019 1,493,231 * 26 -20%
2018 1,856,970 22 -20%
2017 2,321,599 16 – 9%
2016 2,493,859 12 -9%
2015 2,726,648 9 -9%
2014 2,917,209 7 -9%
2013 3,083,397 6
*Projected attendance
Attendance is down for the sixth straight year since it peaked following the appearance in the World Series in 2012. Projected to be down over 50% this year from that peak. Note that the numbers were at least falling at a rate of 9% for four years, but now have over doubled in decline to 20% (or greater) annually.
What does this show? Well, it shows that unlike nearby Cleveland, the fans will come out in droves to see a contending team and will even stay rather loyal for a couple of bad seasons. It shows that most fans will not put up with a mess like the team is now and simply check out. But sadly it also shows that there are so many other revenue streams in today’s MLB that while embarrassing, it does not impact the bottom line the way it used to. So the management moves along, displaying apathy equal to that of many fans. They merely instruct FS Detroit to kindly not “pan” the view of all the empty seats at Comerica Park!
Are you still attending games in person? Watching on TV or listening on the radio? Continuing to follow online or in print?
tigersinthed 
Fans are beyond disappointed anymore. Fans are upset ..angry. It isn’t all on Chris I or Al A either. The dismal and lackluster performances by Miguel Cabrera has negatively affected the entire MLB franchise. And the total failure of Jordan Zimmerman has contributed to the negativity towards the team.
How many Tiger players have totally disentigrated over the past 5 seasons? There was Jose Valverde, Joe Nathan, Francisco Rodriguez (K-Rod), Anibal Sanchez, ..and now Jordan Zimmerman and Miguel Cabrera ..and there are probably a couple others whom I cannot immediately bring to mind.
With that said ..Baseball is actually as popular as ever ..its just that fans have many more options these days to follow their favorite teams and players. They get involved in fantasy baseball leagues all around the country ..instantly follow along with games and stats via cell phones, computers, tablets while at work or out doing other activities ..and generally know more about the stats and standings than most may fully realize or be willing to admit. Owners know this too. There is more money to be made by owners and teams than every before.
I firmly believe that Tiger fans will return to the ballpark when they start winning again. They’ve done it before ..and will do it again.
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I agree across the board.
I have seven fantasy teams. I love the game. And now that I live in Illinois, I get a steady dose of Cubs (Javier Baez is immaculate), the Brewers and the Cardinals. The Tigers will return to prominence someday. I just hope that I live to see it, considering I am 62 and it could take fifteen years for that to take place. 1968 and 1984 were awesome experiences to have. Even 2006 and 2012.
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